The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association are calling for an immediate resolution to the problems caused by the closure of knackeries last Wednesday. National President Colm O’Donnell stated “how farmers with fallen stock are left in limbo dealing with the sight and stench of decomposing animals and desperately need a resolution to deal with the problem.”

If a resolution with the knackeries can’t be achieved today (Friday) then farmers need to be allowed bury the stock with guidelines and support on this provided by the local DVO’s stated O’Donnell. This decision he continued “needs to be taken today as failure to act on this will leave the moving of fallen animals difficult if not impossible and only adding to an already stressful situation.”

The INHFA leader added “how the current situation with the knackeries should have been addressed a long time ago and not let develop to a point where farmers are left dealing with decomposing bodies and unable to act.”

He concluded by emphasising the need for an immediate deal that he stated “should not add any more costs onto farmers.”

The importation by Aldi of beef from the United Kingdom that is certified as Irish and carrying a Bord Bia stamp needs clarity according to the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA). National President Colm O’Donnell queried how the farm to fork slogan adopted by Bord Bia can be justified when this beef has been processed in a meat plant outside the country. This he stated “is a question raised by members contacting our office this morning and one that Bord Bia now need to answer".

For some time now he continued “farmers have been expressing their frustration with Bord Bia who are increasingly seen as partners of the meat processors in a battle against beef farmers. The decision to certify imported beef as Irish only adds to this suspicion which is why we need clarity from Bord Bia as part of a full external investigation into the beef sector.”

Any such investigation will stated O’Donnell “need to look at all aspects of the industry including, pricing, the role of the retailer both in Ireland and Europe, rendering, data protection compliance in relation to AIM’s, the role of Bord Bia and policies around the 30 month, four movement and 70 day residency rules. While some have suggested a statutory investigation or a beef regulator there is the option of involving the EU’s Competition Authority (DG Competition) who could deliver independence and full transparency.”

In recognising how any actions such as this will take time the INHFA President stressed how a full investigation is essential in delivering fairness and restoring confidence for farmers. In the meantime there is he stated “a need for the Minister to refer the 30 month and 70 day residency rule back to the CCPC to see if they comply with the EU’s unfair trading practices, which could allow the Minister to intervene directly and suspend both rules.”

In addressing the current crisis he stated “how MII’s decision to pull out of the planned talks is a flawed decision that they need to review. There is also the requirement to immediately suspend all legal action (and the threat of) against farmers and their representative bodies who have a right to protest. Talks could under these circumstances then resume and provided there is willingness by processors to engage in good faith on price and the 30 month rule an agreement can hopefully be reached.”

O’Donnell concluded by emphasising how “the actions taken by farmers is not just a reaction to recent price reductions but a statement of intent that they will no longer be taken for granted and have their livelihoods undermined. In order to find a solution we need a more conciliatory approach from the processors and engagement with all stakeholders including representatives of the protesting farmers.”

An interview given by Commissioner Phil Hogan on Tuesday's Newstalk Hard Shoulder programme has outraged the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA). In the interview Commissioner Hogan stated "that he produced the BEAM money for Irish farmers and now they seem reluctant to apply for the money, this will be a bit of an embarrassment for me and weakens the case for future financial support in the event of a hard Brexit".

In reacting to this statement President of the INHFA Colm O’Donnell stated "Commissioner Hogan is the only one to blame if the money goes back to Brussels. This funding was supposed to be for farmers affected by the market disturbance associated with the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. While the announcement and its timing was seen by some as an election gimmick, whatever the reason it has now backfired and left Irish farmers unable to draw down the €100 million because of conditionality drafted by the EU Commission. This conditionality requires a 5% culling of suckler cows and other cattle destined for Beef finishing in order to comply with the T&C's of the scheme ".

'Commissioner Hogan commented at the Irish Rural Link conference in Athlone that if he wanted a farmer in Roscommon with 10 suckler cows to get rid of them because they aren't profitable, then he must incentivise that farmer to cull them and low and behold what do we get? BEAM.

O'Donnell went on to say how "Commissioner Hogan was prepared to sacrifice produce from sustainable Irish suckler and beef farmers to clear the way for unsustainable South American beef to get his trade deal over the line. So much for the green Jersey".

Concluding, the farm leader called on the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to amend the BEAM scheme by removing all conditionality and barriers preventing farmers from applying for the scheme which is within his power. INHFA are calling on the Minister to make a public statement to this effect and extend the closing date so that all 70,000 eligible farmers can apply. This will ensure no money is returned to Brussels which might weaken the case for further support in the context of a hard Brexit.

The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association are calling on Minister Creed for the removal of the 5% reduction requirement as a condition for entry into the scheme. The call follows a meeting of the organisations beef committee where those present expressed major miss-giving’s with regard to the conditionality around the scheme.

National President Colm O’Donnell outlined how Ireland had the option to choose between a re-structuring and a production reduction and for whatever reason choose the latter. This stated O’Donnell “was a major issue for members of our beef committee who expressed concern that this could undermine future supports for the suckler sector.”

Clearly, he continued “the concern expressed to us with regard to the reduction requirement is a concern felt by many farmers as reflected in the poor uptake by farmers which has necessitated an extension to the schemes closing date. While we anticipate these numbers will increase as a result of the promotion by the Department of Agriculture and other state bodies, farmers and in particular our suckler farmers have sent a message that should not be ignored.”

This scheme added O’Donnell “was introduced as a temporary support measure for farmers resulting from losses incurred due to the uncertainty created around Brexit. To use this as an opportunity to drive another agenda is an issue that has angered farmers especially those involved in extensive farming practices who now stand to lose the most.”

The INHFA President concluded by demanding the removal of the production reduction to be replaced by a re-structuring of the beef sector along the lines outlined in the INHFA 10 point plan. He also encouraged any farmer joining the new BEAM to be fully aware of what the short term and long term implications may be for their farming system and encouraged farm advisors to advise on this basis.

The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association have outlined the compromise proposals they have made to Minister Creed to help resolve the beef crisis. The proposal centres on the payment of 12c bonus for in-spec animals.

Currently in order for a farmer to receive the bonus they have to comply with four key conditions those being
• Membership of the Board Bia Quality Assurance Scheme
• Animal slaughtered must have been on the farm for the previous 60 days which was reduced from 70 days last week
• Have not exceeded 4 farm movements
• Must be under 30 months

The requirement to comply with all four conditions is stated National President Colm O’Donnell “onerous on farmers but it does also provide for an obvious solution that we would hope MII would accept.” This solution stated O’Donnell “involves making a bonus payment of 3c/kg on each condition complied with so a 31 month old animal would still receive a 9c bonus if the other three conditions are met.”

This proposal can stated the INHFA President “deliver a fair compromise and we are now asking Minister Creed to immediately reconvene talks with a view to getting this agreed.”

He concluded by pointing to a precedent that already exists in the organic sector where organic beef animals remain in spec up to 36 months which he stated “totally undermines MII’s argument in relation to the 30 month rule.”