It is time to support Ireland's food producers
The supply chain of food and beverages can and must be preserved intact so that it can continue to feed the population, writes
The supply chain of food and beverages can and must be preserved intact so that it can continue to feed the population, writes
A huge logistical operation is taking place to ensure the country’s multi-billion euro food and beverage chain is kept open during the virus pandemic.
It involves farming and fishing families, processing workers, hauliers, veterinary surgeons, retail and service sectors, Government departments, and State agencies.
The sector is Ireland’s most important indigenous industry. It comprises of 137,500 farms, accounts for 173,000 jobs and has around 700 companies.
It exports to 180 countries and has the capacity to produce enough food to feed 40m people.
Last year, exports of Irish food, drink, and horticulture products reached a record €13bn, with an added €1.5bn in non-edible goods, including forestry and animal feedstuffs.
It was, therefore, no surprise that the Government deemed it an essential service and allowed it to continue operating — with strict biosecurity and other protocols in place.
Keeping food on supermarket shelves at a time of public health anxiety and unprecedented retail demand is a priority for the sector.
Agriculture, food, and marine minister Michael Creed has announced a range of supports, including an increase in the Calf Investment Scheme from €1.5m to €4m.
He said the economic impacts of the crisis on agricultural and other commodity prices are only beginning to be felt, and are likely to become severe.
“For many families, this impact will be compounded by the loss of off-farm employment.
"I am asking the food industry to do whatever it can to support its thousands of farmer suppliers at this time,” he said.
Mr Creed said he had urged the European Commission to deploy the full range of supports available to ensure agri-food and fisheries can best serve the needs of society during the crisis with the minimum possible economic impact.
Jerry Long, president of ICOS, the co-ops umbrella body, said the food chain also includes feed, fertiliser, fuel and veterinary suppliers, animal movement, milk recording, artificial insemination, milking machine service and repair, as well as hardware and other outlets.
With co-op stores moving to a call-and-collect model, increased emphasis is being placed on delivery direct to farm, and all farmer communications are going towards phone and email only.
The supply chain is one of the tightest in the economy, he said, and it can and must be preserved intact so that it can continue to feed the population.
However, the closure of livestock marts caused a major dilemma for farmers trying to see their cattle and sheep.
There were many calls alternative safe trading arrangements.
Mr Creed has since issued guidance to marts on a limited range of essential services that comply with Government guidelines and do not require people to assemble.
These include measures to facilitate calf sales and the weighing of livestock, and online or brokerage services, subject to strict operating procedures.
ICOS said the decision will alleviate the current economic burden on farmers seeking to trade animals and will also ensure that calves can be bought and sold within the now-peak calving season.
Irish Farmers Association president Tim Cullinan, who also welcomed the move to facilitate marts, said all sectors are facing massive challenges, but the beef market is in turmoil and is in urgent need of significant measures.
The dairy industry is also bracing itself for a particular challenge, with the peak milk-production season looming just as the impact of the virus is predicted to reach its highest level.
Mr Cullinan said with proper co-operation and contingency planning he was confident the country’s dairy co-ops will continue processing all milk during the crisis.
Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association president Edmond Phelan called for extra funds from the European Central Bank in addition to Common Agricultural Policy supports.
“The closure of marts, coupled with serious volatility in the beef and lamb market, will play havoc with the cashflow on many fronts at a time when money will be needed for fertiliser, meal, diesel and, shortly, for first cut silage”, he said.
Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesperson Charlie McConalogue said the fact that Ireland exports 90% of its dairy and beef places a gigantic challenge in the present climate that will require direct and other supports.
As the sector responds to the crisis, Teagasc has now called for an increased focus on farm safety.
Meanwhile, the country’s network of rural shows, traditionally held from May to October, has been greatly disrupted. Balmoral Show has been postponed until August 19-22, and this will be kept under review.
Bord Bia, which has cancelled the Bloom gardens and food festival in Dublin, said an event of that scale requires many months of preparation involving a range of multi-disciplinary teamwork.
“This decision will be disappointing for many, and Bord Bia would like to pay tribute to the growers, designers, contractors, exhibitors, and sponsors who have worked so hard on this year’s event.
“We know that gardening can be of benefit to people’s mental and physical well-being during this difficult time.
"Bord Bia will be here as a resource with tips on planting and gardening at home for everyone from the complete novice to the many loyal Bloom attendees, who feed their passion for gardening at the festival each year,” it said.
The Irish Shows Association, which represents over 120 events on the island every year, is regularly updating a growing list of events not going ahead.
Shows already cancelled include Bandon, Belgooly, Charleville, Dungarvan, Newmarket-on-Fergus, and Tullamore.
The ISA, whose board will continue to monitor the situation over the coming weeks, said it will abide at all times by the advice of the Government and the public health authorities.
“Cancellation is not an easy decision to take for any show committee,” it said.
“We will be sorry to lose these events from our calendar in 2020 and look forward to welcoming them back in 2021.”
