ICMSA calls for calf producers to unite

ICMSA has called on all calf and weanling producers, regardless of what farm organisation they are affiliated to, to campaign for additional direct payments from the National Reserve to compensate for low Single Farm Payment entitlements.

ICMSA President Pat O’Rourke said no farmer should lose out on income, and no farmer should have a windfall gain at the expense of a fellow farmer, and hardship cases must be catered for.

“However, there is an active campaign against calf and weanling producers by certain parts of other organisations who claim to represent these farmers. It is with reluctance that I highlight this fact”. He said ICMSA is not prepared to see a large transfer of income from calf and weanling farmers to other farmers.

“I believe also that the reluctance to deal with this problem may be the growing anti-dairy farmer view in other organisations”.

ICMSA predicted that calf prices will fall by up to €150 per head, with the Fischler CAP reform and decoupling, and weanling prices will be reduced by at least €200 per head. This was borne out already this year, with June-born calves becoming the first in 12 years which will not qualify for any beef premium, and farmers have seen their prices fall by as much as €175, compared to calves born in May.

As a result, bull calf prices now are between €80 and €200 behind 2003. “The Department can no longer ignore this major problem”, said Mr O’Rourke.

“EU Council regulations provide a broad legal framework for Ireland to implement ICMSA’s proposals to address the shortfall suffered by calf and weanling producers”, said the ICMSA president earlier this year after he led a delegation to meet officials of the European Commission.

“Ireland does not even have to seek the permission of the Commission in this regard.”