The outlook for beef and farm payment cuts exercised farmers at the latest IFA elections hustings in Tullamore on Tuesday night.

Beef markets are turning, Angus Woods said. “Unfortunately, we’re not in a good position yet because of the backlog of cattle following blockades.”

There is a future for beef, Tim Cullinan said.

“China has destroyed 25m tonnes of pigmeat; 1m tonnes of beef has gone in. Things will change.”

“EU beef prices will have to be subsidised always, given the standards required of us,” John Coughlan said.

“Stop talking down dairy beef. There’s markets for all types of beef.”

He wants upwards-only convergence. “We’re very close to the EU average, so we won’t lose entitlements to eastern Europe. But convergence will continue flattening payments in Ireland. Active farmers will lose out.

“I don’t accept a 5% EU budget cut,” Cullinan said. “If it happens, we’re not doing our job. You have to set a benchmark and go for it.

“I definitely don’t agree we’re destined for a 5% budget cut,” Woods said. “Let’s see the outcome of Brexit.”

Mullingar

Emissions were raised by farmers in Mullingar.

“We’ve increased agricultural output 40% since 1990 and emissions by 1%,” said Coughlan.

“Transport emissions have rocketed. I don’t accept cuts on our herds.”

When oil is imported the carbon emission is counted here, Cullinan said. “If our food is exported, why not count the carbon there? We need to get back in and fight on this.”

“The suckler sector can meet emissions targets,” Woods said. “The average steer is 9kg heavier and 34 days younger now. That’s a real improvement you can quantify.”

Carrick-on-Shannon

Forestry was a sticking point for farmers at the Carrick-on-Shannon hustings.

“We’re in crisis,” Eddie Mitchell of Manorhamilton said. “We’ve 20% of land planted in Leitrim.

“To continue high-output farming in the east, they want to plant here, a sacrifice zone. We want support of IFA to protect Leitrim family farms from industrial planting by investment companies,” Mitchell added.