Charlie McConalogue TD has called on the government to take positive action to support the argi-sector as the crisis in the industry continues.
The Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Agriculture explained, “The beef sector and suckler farmers are at their wit’s end. With prices on the floor and potential armageddon starring them in the face from a no deal Brexit, the government must immediately take swift action to safeguard the sector.
“Fianna Fáil successfully passed a private members’ motion with 14 policy actions in the Dáil last month to highlight the urgent actions needed to safeguard the livelihoods of farmers’ in the beef sector.
“This included immediately requesting Brexit mitigation funding for farmers, specifically exceptional and market disturbance aid for beef and other vulnerable sectors under CAP’s Common Market Organisation Regulation.”
He added that beef farmers have incurred severe losses since last Autumn and require direct EU and State assistance now.
The IFA has estimated that beef farmers have already incurred price losses approaching over €100 million as the impact of Brexit has hit.
“Any such compensation scheme should include all finished animals including dry cows. It is important to include all parts of the finishing sector to any such scheme in order to restore confidence to the market.
“The government cannot continue to ignore farmers in every village and town across the country. They are crying out for supports and they must be provided with such supports,” concluded Deputy McConalogue.
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