It may be necessary to take “drastic measures” and cut the beef herd if targets for emission reductions are not met, the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said.

The Minister said his focus remains on implementing the Government’s roadmap for tackling climate change but a cut to the national herd could not be ruled out.

Speaking on RTE’s Morning Ireland, Minister Creed said: “We have published a detailed roadmap with 34 specific actions which are required to meet the targets for the agricultural sector, they are what my focus is on.

Drastic measures

“If we don’t embrace those then other more drastic measures may be necessary. I am confident that we can get the buy-in that will accelerate our sustainability credentials which is obligatory under national targets but is also being demanded by the international marketplace.”

Along with facing climate challenges the Minister said Brexit was a significant concern for agriculture. He said more support would be necessary in the event of a crash out Brexit in addition to the €100m already announced.

On the €100m Beam Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM), Minister Creed said the fund would be targeted at beef farmers and “not one brown cent will go to the owners of meat factories”.

“I was also anxious that the fund will be focused on the beef sector exclusively. The focus will be for the 75,000 beef farmers around the country,” the Minister said.

“I have made a minor provision for small dairy farmers … I did resist opening up the scheme to dairy farmers in general because I believe it should be focused on those that have an almost exclusive dependence on the beef sector.”

Plaster

Also speaking on the programme, IFA president Joe Healy said the fund was only a plaster.

“It is a sticking plaster that we hope will stop a bleed that would have led to the death of the person unless that sticking plaster was applied. A lot more sticking plasters are needed because the losses since this fund was announced have accumulated,” Healy said.

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Cut to beef herd may be necessary - Creed

Minister Creed has said his focus remains on implementing the Government's roadmap to reducing emissions but a cut to the national herd could not yet be ruled out.