21 APRIL 2020

ICSA president Edmond Phelan has said that emerging reports of an EU €80 million package for agriculture plus aids to private storage (APS) for steak cuts is just a drop in the ocean to what is needed. 

 “While we await further details, the €80 million for EU agriculture would not even come near what is needed for Irish agriculture. Weekly kill numbers are running at 8,000 head less than the same time last year which reflects the closure of food service outlets. ICSA would welcome APS for steak cuts, given that food service accounts for 31% of all the beef we produce in Ireland and ICSA – along with its EU partners Farm Europe – has been lobbying Brussels for this.”

“However, the devastation caused to beef markets by the ongoing closure of food service outlets, including important customers like McDonalds and Supermacs, shows no sign of abating anytime soon. It is clear that this response suggests that the EU Commission is completely out of its depth in dealing with the economic catastrophe arising from Covid-19. ICSA will continue fighting for a proper package that reflects the real needs of Irish farmers.” 

ENDS