ICSA president Dermot Kelleher has called for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath, the Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport Eamon Ryan and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue to meet with farming organisations to forge a way forward for the Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group.

“An impasse has been reached regarding the Beef Vision report which cannot be surmounted without ministerial intervention and serious financial proposals. It is now time for the three ministers of the three relevant government departments to sit at the table with farmer representatives with the specific aim of formulating a workable approach to meeting all our climate obligations,” he said.

“Significant financial packages will be required for farming enterprises to transform their farming practices, and to transition to systems that will make a real impact in terms of reaching our 25% emissions reduction target by 2030. This is particularly the case for active, low-income beef, sheep, and suckler farmers.”

“If Ministers McGrath, Ryan, and McConalogue are serious about supporting the agriculture sector to meet its climate goals then proper engagement with the farming bodies must begin, and it must begin soon. A one-sided conversation – with farmers being told what to do without the financial means do it – is not proper engagement and will lead us nowhere.”

ENDS