EU and Irish authorities have to act now to support farmers as Covid-19 effects begin to bite, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).

IFA president Tim Cullinan said the European Commission and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed need to instigate a series of measures to support farmers to ensure that essential food supplies continue to be available for all citizens.

Reiterating his earlier reaction, Cullinan added that the decision by McDonald’s to close its restaurants in Ireland and the UK will put further pressure on the Irish beef sector.

“The Irish beef price is already well below the cost of production for farmers. They cannot sustain any further cuts,” Cullinan concluded.