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IFA president Joe Healy told a packed farmers' meeting in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan on Tuesday that “every penny of the €100m will go to genuine farmers, under no circumstances will beef barons receive a speculated 28%. The fund must be paid directly to those who sold prime finished cattle since last autumn and suckler farmers".
The IFA is hosting eight information evenings this week following the suggestion by the European Commission that Ireland should restructure its beef industry before it can access the €100m Brexit beef fund.
“This fund won’t rest long in farmers' pockets," said Healy. "Vets and mills are owed substantial amounts of money with many unable to pay due to the below par prices taken for cattle.
“Referring to this fund as a handout is an insult to farmers, the €100m is a compensation for the production of top-quality food at affordable prices.”
Many farmers took the opportunity to suggest how they feel the fund should be distributed. One Monaghan farmer believes “a blanket payment should be used with every farmer receiving the same amount".
Beef grading
The issue of accurate beef grading was discussed at the meeting with IFA chair Angus Woods claiming “the Department are moving the goalposts to suit the national herd. The cameras have been rigged with grading moved by 1/6 of a subclass to suit the factories.”
“The tolerance is much too wide on these cameras, with no technological improvement to them within the last 10 years.”
Mercosur
Healy claims “those promoting the Mercosur deal aren’t taking climate change seriously, these countries are four times less carbon efficient than us here in Ireland".
Woods said in jest: “This deal is to allow Europe to sell more cars, champagne and potentially electric chainsaws to cut down their rainforest with.”
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