Policymakers warned that 3.8% drop in cattle numbers could double

The ICSA said the accumulation of increasingly tighter policies has caused farmers to reduce herd numbers

In the last 12 months, there has been a drop of over 276,000 head of cattle. Stock picture

The 3.8% drop in the national cattle herd in the last 12 months should be of concern to policymakers, says the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA).

ICSA beef chairman John Cleary said the drop of more than 276,000 head of cattle is a warning to policymakers and could double next year if current trends continue.