ICMSA criticises suckler proposal

A CALL by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association to have the proposed additional suckler herd supports paid on an area rather than on a cow basis has been criticised by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association.

ICSA is seeking a per hectare payment of up to €100 to a maximum of 50 hectares. The payment would be for farmers whose objectives are the highest standards in animal welfare and quality breeding.

Suckler committee chairman Frank Kehoe said the ICSA wanted to put money in suckler farmers’ pockets but without going back to bureaucracy and six-month retentions.

“We believe that a per hectare payment is much more in line with the new era of decoupled payments and will therefore be more likely to gain the necessary Brussels approval.”

But ICMSA president Jackie Cahill said the ICSA proposal was ill thought out, pointlessly divisive and not credible in understanding the need and purpose of such a scheme.

Mr Cahill said he was reluctant to level criticism against another farm organisation, particularly at a time when unity was required. But he could not allow the ICSA proposal to go unchallenged, given its eccentric nature.

He said there seems to be no requirement to keep stock under the ICSA proposal, which also excludes dairy, sheep, cereal and beef (other then suckler) farmers from any support scheme under it.

He said the proposal will not protect the suckler herd or quality production. He said a degree of realism and unity was needed from all farming groups if progress was to be made. Dairy farmers must be included in any new livestock scheme.