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Banks have been called on to be “open-minded and flexible” when dealing with beef and suckler farmers during challenging times.
The call comes from Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) suckler chair John Halley who said weanling prices remain challenged and bills remained outstanding. He said the BEAM scheme had opened for applications but no payments were expected until mid-October.
Halley said: “There is currently an overhang of debt surrounding suckler and beef farmers. A perfect storm of pressures over the last number of years has seen the sector struggle more than ever before, and we’re not out of the woods yet.
“Support is needed from all angles and the banks have an important role to play at this time.”
Flexibilty
Minister Creed was also urged to encourage banks to offer flexibility during a difficult time for beef farmers. Halley said the sector was too important to the Irish economy to be allowed go under.
He said more solidarity had been sought from processors. The beef talks had resulted in some minor gains but not enough to have any real financial benefit for the primary producer, he stressed.
Halley concluded: “It remains our priority to put a stop to excessive profiteering further along the food chain and to seek our fair share of the final retail price. However, it is vital that we have a commitment from the banking sector that support and a flexible approach will be forthcoming.”
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