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It would have been easy for me to dismiss last Thursday night’s events in Ballinasloe as a wasted opportunity. Indeed, those were my initial thoughts as I made the late-night journey home to Macroom with the echoes of heckles and jeers lingering in my ears.
The premise of the Beef Summit was that everybody would have their say on the future of our suckler beef sector; that we would lay out a way forward together; farmer, factory and State.
Everybody did have their say
On Thursday night, my verdict was simple – it was a failed exercise. But early on Friday morning as I wound my way to Castletownbere in the morning sunshine, passing dozens of suckler herds along the way (yes, there are suckler farms in Cork!), I reflected further and it struck me that the Beef Summit was a success after all.
Everybody did have their say. We all know precisely where we stand. We know there is anger, frustration and in many cases hardship. We know there’s a changing world and marketplace but also opportunity. We know there’s ambition and science but also much misunderstanding. So the talking has been done. We now need to listen to each other to find our way forward.
Step back
Firstly, what’s abundantly clear is that we all need to take a step back from some of our more entrenched positions. Policymakers, farm organisations and industry all need to drop some of our rehearsed lines and find common ground quickly.
Politicians sometimes make the grave error of thinking they need to have all the answers
It’s not an easy thing to do to seek compromise. But I’m up for it if others will follow suit.
Politicians sometimes make the grave error of thinking they need to have all the answers. I’m happy to lay my cards on the table and admit that I don’t.
My resistance to coupled payments has been well-documented. We moved away from coupled payments in the past to give farmers more freedom to adjust production to reflect changes in the marketplace. But Professor Michael Wallace (UCD) and Liam McHale (IFA Brussels) did provide food for thought on that subject.
I also heard very clearly that farmers need immediate support after what has been a very difficult year
The forthcoming CAP consultation offers the opportunity to examine all proposals in a detailed fashion. A limited coupled payment is a policy option under the CAP post-2020 proposals as they stand, but proponents must reflect on whether we want to deny farmers the freedom to adjust production if the market suggests that’s what they should do.
I also heard very clearly that farmers need immediate support after what has been a very difficult year. I have made this case very clearly at an EU level and continue to do so.
Meat processors
So to the meat processors. Giving everything they can, according to Meat Industry Ireland.
Not half enough, according to the farmers gathered in Ballinasloe and beyond. I’m not going to comment on what industry can or cannot deliver on price. It’s beyond my powers, notwithstanding what some might continue to believe or say.
Farmers and processors have a mutually dependent relationship
What I can say to processors is that the gap between them and their farmer suppliers needs to narrow. Major outreach is needed.
The toxicity of the relationship as is now perceived serves nobody.
Farmers and processors have a mutually dependent relationship. For the suckler sector to succeed, this relationship has to improve.
Corporate social responsibility is a key component of any business strategy in the 21st century.
An industry deemed to have a weak relationship with its stakeholders will be found out by consumers and left behind.
Leadership and revolution
There were no shortage of farm organisations in Ballinasloe. If ever there was a time for leadership among beef farmers it is now. There is no doubting that there was clear leadership in articulating farmers’ anger. That message was received loud and clear.
The world is changing. Real leadership will require accepting these new realities
Of course, that’s the easy part. If that’s the extent of the ambition so be it. But then, that’s not leadership. As we gathered in Ballinasloe, the Dáil declared a climate emergency. Animal rights protesters dared to crash the summit for goodness sake. The world is changing. Real leadership will require accepting these new realities, instead of dismissing and denying their existence for the want of a loud applause or an elevation in rank.
Suckler farms won’t be saved by catchy slogans. Effective campaigning will be done by those who come to the table with realistic proposals, not those who promise they can turn the clock back.
Our State agencies didn’t escape the ire of some on the night either. Teagasc and Bord Bia are remarkable entities, envied the world over.
Revolution has been spoken of with much enthusiasm and passion at recent farmer protests
Seeing hostility directed at their leaders for me was the most unsettling element of the night. Bord Bia and Teagasc will reflect on this too, I’m sure, and will rise to that challenge. But the scapegoating of these agencies must stop. Our €13bn in agri-food exports would simply not exist without them.
Revolution has been spoken of with much enthusiasm and passion at recent farmer protests. I’m not sure what is meant by it, if I’m to be honest. Perhaps it’s farmers sweeping in a new Government offering a better way. I don’t see that alternative out there. Certainly not from those who would actually govern or those who seek the permanent comfort of opposition.
But it’s hardly surprising that I would say as much. A real revolution, I think, would look something like what I’ve outlined above. An open honest engagement on a way forward. An acceptance of facts. A willingness to change minds and change course if necessary. If the Beef Summit could inspire such a revolution, well all I have to say is bring it on. Let the debate begin.
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