The energy that the new Minister seemed intent on bringing to his position and the command of the questions he showed is encouraging, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) president Pat McCormack said.
The comments came following the first meeting of the ICMSA with Minister McConalogue on Tuesday afternoon, 8 September.
During the meeting, the ICMSA presented what it considers to be the most pressing issues facing the new Minister. These included CAP, Brexit, cattle prices and the need for the economic sustainability of farming in tandem with the environment.
CAP
On CAP, McCormack stressed Ireland’s need to preserve all current direct payments through any transition period and the re-emergence of food security as a central consideration in light of COVID.
“While farmers accept the need for climate change measures, they would not allow themselves to become whipping boys for an extreme element that seemed to want the end of all commercial farming in Ireland.”
Prices
On cattle prices, the ICMSA stressed the importance of live exports and the need for greater integration between the dairy and beef sides of production through a “Dairy Calf To Beef” proposal made to the Department.
On dairy, McCormack said that Irish prices still lagged their EU counterparts and he asked that serious consideration be given to anti-volatility measures, namely the ICMSA’s Farm Management Deposit Scheme.
Brexit
The ICMSA reminded the Minister that the requirements of Irish farming in relation to Brexit has not changed despite current political shifts.
McCormack said: “We need a post-Brexit situation that is as close to the present one as can be secured. Irish food has held those British markets for centuries and we just cannot afford to lose them now.
“We know the extent of the challenge and we certainly feel that progress on securing the deal that we all want depends on the reliability of agreements already signed up to being respected.”
Read more
Survey to gauge farmers’ trust in Bord Bia and farm bodies
Outlook for milk price still generally positive – ICMSA
Irish cattle prices should be increasing in line with the UK’s – ICMSA
The energy that the new Minister seemed intent on bringing to his position and the command of the questions he showed is encouraging, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) president Pat McCormack said.
The comments came following the first meeting of the ICMSA with Minister McConalogue on Tuesday afternoon, 8 September.
During the meeting, the ICMSA presented what it considers to be the most pressing issues facing the new Minister. These included CAP, Brexit, cattle prices and the need for the economic sustainability of farming in tandem with the environment.
CAP
On CAP, McCormack stressed Ireland’s need to preserve all current direct payments through any transition period and the re-emergence of food security as a central consideration in light of COVID.
“While farmers accept the need for climate change measures, they would not allow themselves to become whipping boys for an extreme element that seemed to want the end of all commercial farming in Ireland.”
Prices
On cattle prices, the ICMSA stressed the importance of live exports and the need for greater integration between the dairy and beef sides of production through a “Dairy Calf To Beef” proposal made to the Department.
On dairy, McCormack said that Irish prices still lagged their EU counterparts and he asked that serious consideration be given to anti-volatility measures, namely the ICMSA’s Farm Management Deposit Scheme.
Brexit
The ICMSA reminded the Minister that the requirements of Irish farming in relation to Brexit has not changed despite current political shifts.
McCormack said: “We need a post-Brexit situation that is as close to the present one as can be secured. Irish food has held those British markets for centuries and we just cannot afford to lose them now.
“We know the extent of the challenge and we certainly feel that progress on securing the deal that we all want depends on the reliability of agreements already signed up to being respected.”
Read more
Survey to gauge farmers’ trust in Bord Bia and farm bodies
Outlook for milk price still generally positive – ICMSA
Irish cattle prices should be increasing in line with the UK’s – ICMSA
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