ICOS warns minister that suckler farming is under serious threat
The co-op group was led by ICOS marts committee chairman Michael Spellman who emphasised the urgency of finding practical solutions to “unjustified obstructions” being imposed on the traditional trade between customers in the North and livestock marts in the Republic of Ireland.
There is an effective ban by Irish-owned meat plants in the North on killing live cattle from the Republic. ROI-controlled meat factories in the North either will not slaughter an animal, or they will impose a £150 (€190) fine per animal, if any farmer presents an animal for slaughter that was born in the Republic.
Mr Spellman said, “Farmers in Northern Ireland who bought cattle from the south last Autumn are facing a major financial hit as they now go to sell these animals into the factories. It is a case of ‘once bitten, twice shy’ and unless the irrational and unwarranted £150 fine is removed by the factories, Northern Ireland farmers won’t buy cattle from the south again this year.
Mr Spellman said that the marts delegation had emphasised to the minister the importance of immediately engaging with his counterpart in Northern Ireland, Minister Michelle O’Neill, with a view to removing the obstructions to this trade.
Meanwhile, ICSA suckler chairman Dermot Kelleher said that members of his group are also repeatedly expressing concerns that they may be forced out of the suckler business.
“Many suckler farmers are considering leaving the sector, but in some cases, their land is not suitable for other options,” said Mr Kelleher. “These farmers should consider cutting numbers if it’s costing too much, but if you’re good at breeding and calving, don’t abandon the land. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to suckler farming.”
Mr Kelleher said farmers have had to deal with a variety of conflicting advice and the simple reality is that no two farms are the same.
