The IFA’s demand for a €100m Brexit package for Irish beef farmers is facing its defining days.
On Monday, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed made his case for compensation for Irish farmers at the ministerial council in Luxembourg.
He highlighted losses already incurred as a result of market instability and currency fluctuation caused by Brexit.
European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan speaking at the launch of his proposals for the CAP after 2020.
“There is nothing normal about events since our friends in the UK decided to leave the EU,” he said. “Irish beef producers have already suffered a reduction in their income as a result [of the UK decision to exit the EU],” he said.
“I believe that the deployment of exceptional measures, to provide targeted aid to farm families who have suffered a sustained reduction in returns from the market, is warranted.”
Speaking after the meeting, European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan responded: “We need evidence of the extent of what the issues are, so we can evaluate whether intervention in the marketplace is required. We await that from the member states.”
This is the first suggestion that support might be available for the damage caused by the prolonged Brexit process, as opposed to the UK’s actual exit.
Angus Woods, chair, IFA national livestock committee. \ Ferdia Mooney
It is understood that the minister was given five days to go back to Brussels with evidence of market disruption.
IFA officials met Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe this week to push for a package.
“Beef finishers have been financially savaged from Brexit price cuts,” said IFA livestock chair Angus Woods.
Earlier this week, frustrated farmers voiced their anger in Portlaoise about how much money they are losing every day as beef markets continue to suffer.
If Commissioner Hogan is to act, it would have to be soon as his term as European Commissioner for Agriculture nears an end.
The IFA’s demand for a €100m Brexit package for Irish beef farmers is facing its defining days.
On Monday, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed made his case for compensation for Irish farmers at the ministerial council in Luxembourg.
He highlighted losses already incurred as a result of market instability and currency fluctuation caused by Brexit.
European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan speaking at the launch of his proposals for the CAP after 2020.
“There is nothing normal about events since our friends in the UK decided to leave the EU,” he said. “Irish beef producers have already suffered a reduction in their income as a result [of the UK decision to exit the EU],” he said.
“I believe that the deployment of exceptional measures, to provide targeted aid to farm families who have suffered a sustained reduction in returns from the market, is warranted.”
Speaking after the meeting, European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan responded: “We need evidence of the extent of what the issues are, so we can evaluate whether intervention in the marketplace is required. We await that from the member states.”
This is the first suggestion that support might be available for the damage caused by the prolonged Brexit process, as opposed to the UK’s actual exit.
Angus Woods, chair, IFA national livestock committee. \ Ferdia Mooney
It is understood that the minister was given five days to go back to Brussels with evidence of market disruption.
IFA officials met Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe this week to push for a package.
“Beef finishers have been financially savaged from Brexit price cuts,” said IFA livestock chair Angus Woods.
Earlier this week, frustrated farmers voiced their anger in Portlaoise about how much money they are losing every day as beef markets continue to suffer.
If Commissioner Hogan is to act, it would have to be soon as his term as European Commissioner for Agriculture nears an end.
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