6 AUGUST 2020
ICSA beef chairman Edmund Graham has given a guarded welcome to announcement on the Beef Finisher scheme which is in line with the ICSA submission to target funds towards winter finishers. “The scheme is set to deliver at least €100 per animal, slaughtered between 1 February and 12 June 2020, subject to a limit of 100 animals.”
“We are pleased that the scheme has delivered key asks from ICSA. A provision is included which should have the effect of delivering money to farmers who sold animals in the mart and which were subsequently slaughtered within 30 days. We also are pleased that there is no de-stocking clause. However, farmers have to be either a member of the Quality Assurance Scheme or else committed to joining before 30 September. Factory owned animals are not eligible, again a key demand from ICSA.”
“ICSA is not happy that live exported cattle do not seem to be mentioned and we will be seeking urgent clarification on this.”
“Overall, the inclusion of finished animals over eight months of age which includes suckler cows is in line with what we lobbied for and we welcome the announcement. It is clear that winter finishers have needed a break after several disastrous years and this will help the suckler farmer indirectly when it comes to having more buyers around the ring for autumn sales.”
ENDS
