Jerome Mullane, mixed farmer, Co Tipperary

“I cannot comprehend the exclusion of dairy farmers. I operate a suckler enterprise on an out-farm in conjunction with a newly established dairy herd. I’m trying to fulfil the requirements of the BDGP. Are they expecting the dairy enterprise to subsidise the beef enterprise? I’m also wondering about the reduction of organic nitrogen. Will this mean fewer animals bought per farmer or finishing cattle at a younger age with increased concentrate feeding? I believe the factories see this as a subsidy, not a hardship fund, and are pulling prices accordingly.”

Francie Gorman, beef farmer, Co Laois

“I think it’s absolutely essential that it’s paid on all prime cattle. The upper limit needs to be increased for full-time farmers. I think the fund should be amended to reflect the actual losses incurred by farmers depending on what time of year they slaughtered the cattle. Heads need to be knocked together to develop a plan for this industry and we need to do it quick or else we won’t have an industry left. If we don’t have a beef industry, we won’t have a dairy industry. We need leadership from our minister. The responsibility for our future now rests with the European Commission and our Government.”

Richard Nixon, beef farmer, Co Leitrim

“I welcome the payment and it’s a good boost to get but I’m wondering where the 2019 fund is going to come out of because cattle are losing a serious amount of money at the moment. I don’t understand the idea of asking beef farmers to reduce while allowing dairy farmers grow as big as they want. I was always told ‘one more cow, one more sow, one more acre under the plough’ by all the experts and now we’re heading in the opposite direction. We are finishing bulls which can’t be killed any younger so it means I‘ll be buying fewer cattle.”