Press Releases

4 MAY 2020

ICSA sheep chair Sean McNamara has said processors must be required to verify they are not importing live lambs from the UK if they wish to access Aids to Private Storage (APS) supports. “It is illogical that processors availing of APS to store excess product could then get away with importing product to meet a demand they claim is not there,” he said.

“Factories clearly need to give an explanation as to why these imports are continuing and be held accountable. Farmers are fed up with this tactic of bringing in lambs to control prices paid to local producers. It is a cynical practice at the best of times, but it cannot be tolerated if done in conjunction with APS. ICSA will not stand for  processors claiming hand outs in bad faith as the rest of us struggle to keep our heads above water.”

ENDS

1 MAY 2020

ICSA beef chair Edmund Graham has said confidence in the Beef Taskforce will be completely lost if it fails to tackle the crisis within the beef sector as a result of Covid-19. “We have been categorically let down by the Department of Agriculture’s failure to convene a meeting of the Beef Taskforce in response to these unprecedented challenges. Expecting farmers to continue to operate in a complete vacuum of information is inexcusable,” he said.

“Beef farmers are close to the brink in relation to cash flow and the lacklustre response from the EU has left many despairing. There is no future for producing beef at current prices and we have been looking to the Beef Taskforce to plot a way forward if the sector is to survive at all. This requires urgent input from all stakeholders.”

“Online conferencing platforms provide the means to convene the Taskforce but what we need now is a concerted effort from Minister Creed to make it happen.”

ENDS

1 MAY 2020

ICSA beef chair Edmund Graham has said cattle supplies remain tight and are likely to stay that way over the coming weeks. “With stock scarce, the days and weeks ahead provide an opportunity for farmers to fight for a decent price. Factories are actively looking for cattle, and will likely have to give a little to get them,” he said.

“Farmers should push for an extra 10c/kg at an absolute minimum for next week. We need to get the price moving up for once, and now is the time to do it while factories are hungry for supplies. This tightening in cattle numbers will continue well into the month of May so we need keep up pressure for a better return.”

ENDS

23 APRIL 2020

ICSA suckler chair Ger O’Brien has called on the Department of Agriculture to extend the deadline for compliance with the BDGP programme until 31 March 2021, due to Covid-19. “With the closing of marts and the lack of special sales taking place it is proving difficult for farmers to buy in the necessary stock and this must be taken into consideration,” he said.

“Many ICSA members have been receiving letters indicating whether they are currently on course to comply with or fall short of the targets laid out in the scheme. Our concern is with the inability of those who fall short of the targets at present to rectify their position in the current timeframe, given that we are in the midst of a global pandemic.”

“It must also be borne in mind that some farmers will be reluctant to buy in additional animals as they are simultaneously trying to reduce their stocking rate by 5% to comply with the BEAM scheme.”

“In addition, ICSA believes the rule that precludes calves born this year, who are genotyped either 4 or 5 star, from being included in the scheme should be waived. This could give farmers an opportunity to retain the necessary animals within their herd and avoid penalties.”

Concluding Mr O’Brien said, “We are on the final leg of this ambitious scheme and we must give farmers every opportunity to see the programme through to the end. There can be no justification for penalising farmers, who have committed themselves to the scheme over a five year period, for circumstances beyond their control.”

ENDS

22 APRIL 2020

ICSA beef chair Edmund Graham has described the move by Supermacs to begin a phased reopening of their outlets as, “One small step that might boost beef demand as we struggle to cope with the impacts of Covid-19.”

Beginning today (22 April), customers will be able to avail of drive-thru, collection and delivery options from a number of Supermacs restaurants nationwide, in accordance with social distancing guidelines.

Continuing Mr Graham said, “We have to open restaurants and food service operations in a realistic time frame. Their closure has had devastating consequences, not only for their staff but for the wider economy and for the beef sector in particular. We also know that for every week they remain closed, those impacts are being compounded. Supermacs have always been a big supporter of Irish beef producers and we commend them for that and for taking this move now.”

The news comes on the back of the announcement by Lidl that it has secured a deal to supply an additional €14m worth of beef products for export purposes, in conjunction with Liffey Meats. “Again, this is some good news but ultimately for it to be of any real benefit to the primary producer, it is incumbent on Liffey Meats to pay a fair price to their suppliers. Farmers cannot be expected to continue producing at below the cost of production.” Mr Graham said.

ENDS