Addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture today, IFA President Joe Healy said IFA has calculated that beef farmers have already incurred Brexit losses of €101 million since last Autumn.
“Farmers cannot afford to carry this loss and it must be made good by the Government & EU Commission. We have already put this to Minister Creed and we are looking for the support of the Agriculture Committee,” he said.
Healy added that the FoodWise 2025 strategy has failed to address the income crisis for beef farmers and will have to be revisited.
No Price Increases
“While the strategy has delivered substantial growth in the volume and value of beef output, it has not worked for farmers,” he said.
Over the last seven years, beef exports have increased by €360 million, or 19%, but there has been no increase in cattle prices or farm incomes.
Healy called on Michael Creed and the Government to address the income crisis at farm level, and implement policies which will deliver profitability farmers.
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