IFA President lobbying TDs and Senators in Dublin tomorrow due to concerns that this year cattle prices are down
Tomorrow the President of the IFA will be lobbying all TDs and Senators in Dublin on what is being labelled a beef crisis.
IFA President Joe Healy says the crisis is due to multiple factors including poor prices, rising costs and reduced direct payments. This has been compounded by the weakness of sterling and the major uncertainty around Brexit.
Mr Healy said compared to this time last year, cattle prices are down by 20/25 cents per kg or €100/head. Cattle finishers with young bulls are facing price cuts of 40c/kg+ and finding it almost impossible to sell their stock.
The IFA President said urgent action is required now by the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and the government to ensure the following:
- A comprehensive package of market supports and direct aid for farmers from the EU Commission
- EU state aid limitations on members states must be set-aside
- Strong support for the live export trade to double numbers in 2019 and ensure that no further restrictions are imposed on the trade
- Increased funding for suckler cows
- Continue to resist a damaging Mercosur trade deal
- Insist on an increase in the CAP budget, and
- Challenge the meat factories to immediately increase prices and prioritise the young bull kill.
IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said R3 grade young bulls in Ireland are reported at €3.71/kg for w/e Jan 19th.
Mr Woods said: “Compared to young bull prices across the main EU markets we are way behind with the Italian price at €4.55/kg inclusive vat, the German price at €4.05/kg, French bulls at €4.02/kg and the Spanish price at €3.98/kg."
He said: “These figures indicate that Irish young bull producers are being short changed by up to 30c/kg compared to our European counterparts."
Mr Woods said he met with senior EU Commission officials from DG Agri in Brussels last week and put forward a strong case for a Brexit aid package for Irish beef. In addition, he said IFA also met with senior officials in the Department of Agriculture on EU supports.
He said IFA has requested that for every 5c/kg change on the price, Minister Creed needs to secure €20 per head additional direct payment compensation.