22 AUGUST 2018

ICSA president Patrick Kent has welcomed the announcement by Minister Creed that €4.25 million has been allocated for the introduction of a Fodder Import Support Measure. “ICSA has been calling for this and other measures to be put in place at the earliest possible point as part of the combined effort required to offset major fodder difficulties down the track.”

However Mr Kent said, “While we are in favour of importing fodder, we must ensure that it is of high quality and at a fair price. Vigilance on quality and price towards imported feed must also extend to cereals. Profit margins on suckler and sheep farms are practically non-existent at this point so if these enterprises are to have any hope of surviving it is imperative that access to quality feed at a reasonable price is secured.”

“On home ground, we need to take a sensible approach and allow Low-Input Grassland to be baled, sooner rather than later.”

Concluding Mr Kent impressed upon millers to deliver the best possible value to farmers at this difficult time and reiterated that profiteering by meat plants must not be tolerated, “It is incumbent on all players to protect the industry as a whole. We will not stand for primary producers being taken advantage of at this vulnerable time.”

ENDS