Farm organisations critical of government response to beef crisis

Farmers are dismayed by the Government’s low level response to the falling beef prices and the ongoing dispute between farmers and meat factories, said ICSA president Patrick Kent.

Mr Kent criticised responses to Dáil questions by Communications Minster Pat Rabbitte, who said the past few years have been an “especially good time for farming, generally”.

Mr Kent said the response “clearly illustrates that the Government is completely out of touch with the situation facing beef and suckler farmers. The Teagasc National Farm Survey estimates for 2013 show a catastrophic collapse of 22% in suckler incomes and 39% in sheep incomes. On average, these farmers are earning less than they would on the dole.”