ICSA beef chair Edmund Graham said that it was looking increasingly likely that the Food Vision Beef report will be rejected in its entirety following Friday’s meeting of the group. “We are trying to get as good a package as possible for beef and suckler farmers who want to stay farming.”

“We want to ensure that livestock farming is sustainable economically first and foremost. Any other sustainability goals are pie in the sky if farmers can’t make a margin. However, the Government has put the cart before the horse in its gung-ho approach which set targets before engaging meaningfully on whether what is being asked is achievable or affordable.” 

“ICSA is deeply critical of senior Government members attending COP talks in Sharm El-Sheik who haven’t taken the time to properly engage with those who are being asked to do the most in implementing climate actions. It’s all very well grandstanding on the global stage but climate measures will not be delivered by politicians, and they will not be delivered by hurlers on the ditch.”

“While there has been a lot of talk about reducing age of slaughter, buy-out schemes and earlier calving, the real point is whether a pathway to making farmers more profitable, while also more sustainable, can be found.” 

“All of these measures will end up being decided on by farmers who will make rational economic decisions but unless there is more money on the table, farmers’ options will be limited.”

“ICSA is focused on delivering fairness on climate actions and getting a fair share of public funds on the table. Above all, we are determined that meat production in Ireland is not sacrificed for the benefit of others around the globe.” 

“We are going to fight until the very end to see what kind of funding can be delivered to farmers, but we will not accept farmers being sold down the river to satisfy the targets made up by politicians who have not properly engaged with the farming representatives.”  

ENDS