Editorial: Department CAP plan lacks innovation and vision

The proposal within the Government’s CAP strategic plan to cap suckler cow numbers to allow for dairy expansion is not new.

In July 2019, the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) was explicit in its recommendation to Government: the accelerated decline in the national suckler herd over the next decade was required to offset increased emissions from the dairy herd.

Farm organisations should have been developing a solid policy on this recommendation since it was made.

The failure to do so sees farmers once again fighting a rearguard action, trying to shape the design of policy after the foundations have been laid.

This strategy of reactive lobbying has been completely ineffective in influencing the CAP debate at EU level too.

As a result, the Department of Agriculture has been given a free hand to roll out a CAP strategic plan that is clearly designed to cause minimum resistance at EU level while ensuring the objectives of the semi-State organisations are supported.

This has come at the expense of developing innovative policy and creating any long-term vision for the sector.

There is a distinct feeling that this Government is content for the future of agriculture policy to be shaped by a popularity contest. Farm organisations must not fall into the same trap.

They must now come forward with farmer-led policy that makes their long-term vision for the sector clear.

Meanwhile, it is important that suckler farmers do not get distracted from the real issue within this CAP reform: the decimation of income supports. While a proposed capping on suckler cow numbers is highly emotive, it is not the main issue.

As Pat O’Toole demonstrates, the ongoing collapse in direct income supports to sucker farms will ultimately be what determines the future direction of the national herd.

Good yields and strong prices are a rare phenomenon for tillage farmers. As we report this week, prices have increased a further €10/t as the weather allows combines to begin to roll again.

As Declan Marren comments, the higher prices are having an impact on livestock farms with ration prices up by €40/t. But the reality is that high grain prices will underpin strong global beef and dairy markets.

With 80% of global dairy produced from grain-based systems, costs will rise and production will be curtailed. In the case of beef price, competition from white meats will reduce.

Irish farmers and exporters have so far been relatively insulated from border controls because the UK has deferred them until 1 October 2021 for documentation and 1 January 2022 for full controls, including checks.

Exporters from the UK, excluding NI because of the protocol, have had a horrendous time in trading with the EU since the EU introduced full controls at the start of this year. Volumes have dropped as it is now so difficult to do business.

Irish farmers and exporters, especially beef, cannot carry similar disruption from 1 October.

Reports have been circulating that the Department is struggling to have the veterinary resources in place to accommodate the additional certification processes. Farmers need to be reassured by Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue that the resources required are in place at our end.

This week, we showcase some of the farmers nominated for a Farming for Nature award. It is an excellent initiative that gives the opportunity to showcase how farmers can manage the unique characteristics of their land to optimise both economic and environmental sustainability.