ICSA Vision

Our Mission

ICSA aims to represent our members in striving for equality for all farmers, freedom from bureaucracy and opportunity to farm.

Our Vision

ICSA is unique amongst Irish farming organisations in that it exclusively represents the voice of drystock farmers. Such a tight focus allows the ICSA to most efficiently identify and respond to the key issues concerning the beef and lamb sectors. ICSA also aims to represent the views of Ireland’s rural communities, of which agriculture forms a key part.

As part of this vision, ICSA aspires to deliver:

Fully decoupled CAP supports with no return to the discredited old style premia	Common Agricultural Policy
Some realignment of CAP payments to deliver better payments to young and active farmers who are below the national average while minimising cuts to family farms who are above the national average
Freedom for all farmers to enter any sector: beef, sheep, dairying or tillage
A Rural Development Programme with a substantial environmental payment, a continuation of the DAS payment and a revival of young farmer supports
A fully funded CAP with allowances made for inflation for the 2014-2019 period
EU taking responsibility for developing solutions to price volatility
Less bureaucracy and a system of inspection that assists farmers to meet targets rather than punishes them severely for minor shortcomings

A fair share of final consumer price for farmers	Product & Marketing
Regulation of the Food Supply Chain and more transparency on retailer margins
Greater emphasis on clean, green image of Irish food and development of marketing strategy based on that image
Emphasis on developing premium export markets and differentiation of Irish product in order to return a viable price to Irish producers
Full labelling across Europe to give consumers comprehensive information on country of origin, methods of production (e.g. grass reared) and levels of traceability
Retain GM-free status in terms of crops grown as part of a strategy to develop Ireland’s clean, green image

A taxation regime that doesn’t disincentivise hard work and entrepreneurial spirit	Taxation & Budget
A taxation regime that assists those who have invested in developing and expanding their farms
Support for efficient farm transfer between the generations without punitive capital taxes
A VAT / excise duty / carbon tax regime that makes Irish agriculture more competitive not less
Support for pro-active tax measures to encourage long term land leasing, farm partnerships, land consolidation and installation of young farmers
Government commitment to providing matched exchequer funds to ensure maximum draw down of EU rural development funding and other supports

Strong support for live animal exports which reward high quality suckler farm systems	Animal Health & Welfare
Provision of workable solutions contributing to the eradication of Bovine TB in Ireland
Enhanced resources for Animal Health Ireland programmes tackling BVD, IBR, Johnes Disease and other costly infections
Continuation and expansion of government-funded livestock welfare programmes, such as the Suckler Herd Welfare Scheme

Societal and governmental recognition that agriculture is central to economically vibrant rural communities	Rural Development
Acceptance that alternative enterprises must be supported
Acknowledgement of the role of tourism in rural Ireland and its role in increasing national prosperity
Balanced regional development via increased air access, in tandem with improved public services through enhanced rural transport and better roads
Proper broadband infrastructure in all communities
Provision of educational opportunities to all, ranging from provision of training at local level, to adequate places at agricultural college and third level grant aid being determined by income criteria only
Respect for our elder citizens through well-resourced community care plans, outreach programmes and a non-discriminatory nursing home support scheme

Incentivising and encouragement of anaerobic digesters by means of realistic refit tariffs	Energy
Inclusion of biofuels as part of Ireland’s renewable energy strategy	Energy

Have your say:

ICSA is driven by the input of its members, so join today and contribute to the discussion on Ireland’s farming future.

ICSA Vision

Livestock Prices