The ICSA has strenuously rejected the idea that the €100m Brexit aid package should be distributed to dairy farmers.
The Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) provides funding for suckler farmers and finishers who suffered losses due to Brexit uncertainty.
Dairy farmers
The IFA and ICMSA have called for the inclusion of dairy farmers from the fund. The IFA called their exclusion “discriminatory”.
However, the ICSA has insisted that even though dairy farmers experienced losses last year, they are not on a par with financial hit beef farmers experienced.
It defies logic for anyone to lobby for their inclusion
“Farm income figures for 2018 show that suckler farmers and beef finishers are on their knees. Average family farm income on suckler farms dipped to an estimated €8,318 in 2018 – a reduction of 22% on 2017, with beef finishers earning approximately €14,408, down 11% on the 2017,” ICSA president Edmond Phelan said.
“It is unconscionable to think that money would be diverted from these farmers to dairy farmers who despite having a relatively bad year themselves, still managed earnings of €61,273 in 2018. It defies logic for anyone to lobby for their inclusion in this particular exceptional aid measure.”
Raise the limit
The ICSA president added that they would like to see the limit on the number of finished cattle eligible for the scheme raised from 100 to 200 cattle.
“The ICSA wants the limit increased to 200 animals which would be of massive benefit to full-time beef farmers and will benefit other farmers by keeping these farmers in business at the mart ringsides,” Phelan concluded.