Brexit fund of €100m is needed for Irish farmers

The €100m Brexit Fund must be distributed to all farmers who incurred losses in beef production, farm leaders told Agriculture Minister Michael Creed at a consultation meeting.

IFA president Joe Healy said the Minister must make necessary changes to the scheme and then move to pay out the money as soon as possible: “It is imperative the scheme is designed in such a way that every cent of the €100m committed by the European Commission and the Government is paid out to farmers,” he said.

Mr Healy said the Minister has stated that the scheme will cover losses up to May 10, but prices since then have continued to fall and are now on the floor.

“The Minister needs to put the Commission on notice that another fund will be needed to cover on-going losses,” he said.

Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association president Pat McCormack said he rejected “absolutely” a Department proposal to completely exclude dairy farmers from the scheme.

He said the fund is for all beef producers, including dairy farmers, who can show Brexit-related losses.

Calling for the inclusion of dairy farmers, he said the Minister undertook to re-consider the Department’s position.