Serious concerns were raised by senior figures within the room over funding in the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).It is becoming apparent that there has been a significant drop-off in farmers paying their levy to the ICBF as a result of the new cattle-tag tender. As part of the new tender, farmers can opt in or out of paying the 0.38c contribution to the ICBF.
Serious concerns were raised by senior figures within the room over funding in the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).
It is becoming apparent that there has been a significant drop-off in farmers paying their levy to the ICBF as a result of the new cattle-tag tender. As part of the new tender, farmers can opt in or out of paying the 0.38c contribution to the ICBF.
The general consensus in the room among the industry leaders was that under no circumstances should the progress achieved under ICBF be stopped as result of farmers opting out of the levy.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that there was a sense of urgency from the point of view of the ICBF, as it has a board meeting scheduled for 22 December and at the moment they have a deficit of €790,000 in their management accounts.
Such a defecit would result in either services being cut or a need to find alternative funding.
Last week, the Department of Agriculture confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal that it is unwilling to assist the ICBF through a funding shortfall.
Cheap loans
Presentations were given by Ornua, An Bord Bia, Teagasc and the banks. Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed confirmed that the low-interest loans which were announced in October’s budget will be ready to roll out by the end of January, with a full list of banking institutions available for farmers by the second week of January.
The banks were understood to have said this timescale was optimistic, but showed a willingness to work with the Minister.
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