IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods has said that increased direct payments and a strong live export trade are essential to maintain our national suckler cow herd, which he described as the backbone of the €2.5bn Irish beef sector.
He said IFA is pushing for a €50 per head increase in suckler supports and a new dedicated live export unit in the Department of Agriculture and Bord Bia to drive the trade. Mr. Woods has said the IFA is totally opposed to a suckler cow cull scheme that has been advocated by others.
He has said that suckler farmers expect Agriculture Minister Michael Creed to respond to the Brexit and Mercosur challenge on beef in the Budget with an increase in suckler supports, saying the IFA has put detailed proposals to Minister Creed and the Department to increase the suckler support by €25m through a €50 per cow bolt-on to the BDGP scheme for animal welfare. He said IFA has already had discussions with the EU Commission on this proposal – claiming that they have responded positively to such an initiative.
