IFA: Politicians ignoring impact of sterling slump
Addressing the IFA’s 62nd annual general meeting in Dublin, he warned that agriculture and food cannot become a battleground between Brussels and London.
“There are too many farm livelihoods and jobs at stake. Politics cannot be allowed override our fundamental economic interests,” he said.
Mr Healy said farmers expect the Government to use its strong relationship with EU and UK leaders to influence a constructive approach to these difficult negotiations.
“In Brussels, the Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan must make the retention of free trade in agriculture and food products between the EU and UK a priority,” he said.
He stressed that politicians in Dublin and Brussels cannot ignore the ongoing impact of the sterling devaluation. Direct aid for those affected must be on the agenda.
“Farmers have taken most of the pain resulting from the weakness of sterling,” he said. “Beef farmers took a hit of €150m last year from this alone and mushroom growers saw their margins wiped out.
“These losses are a direct result of a political decision outside farmers’ control and cannot be tolerated.”
Listing farm incomes and prices as his key priority for 2017, Mr Healy said co-ops must deliver a substantial milk price increase and reach at least 33 cent per litre.
He also called on Agriculture Minister Michael Creed to prioritise a strong live export trade.
