Icos sets out budget priorities to Government

Grants for slurry storage, investments in calf-rearing, and carbon farming and fodder supports among demands in co-ops organisation's pre-budget submission

The co-ops organisation also called for major funding in dairy-beef integration, including €150 per calf for rearers.

Without the nitrates derogation, the agri-food sector would go into structural, social and economic decline, said ICOS in its pre- budget submission.

The co-ops organisation went on to say 70% grants for slurry storage are needed to improve water quality and retain the derogation.