The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) has urged the government to take immediate action to address the crisis in farm incomes.
A delegation from the farm organisation yesterday (Tuesday, September 10) met with Taoiseach Simon Harris and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue in Government buildings in Dublin.
Speaking after the meeting, ICSA president Sean McNamara said that the government must to take “a firm stand in defence of food producers” and “implement decisive measures to support Irish farmers”.
“Frontline food producers have been financially savaged over the past several years, and many are reaching the conclusion that they simply cannot continue.
“The loss of these farmers not only threatens our agricultural heritage but also undermines food security and rural communities across the nation,” he said.
Addressing the Taoiseach, McNamara said the recent publication of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture signals a positive move towards recognising the importance of food producers and food security.
“This shift must now be translated into concrete actions at the national level, beginning with halting the ongoing decline of the suckler sector.
“This government must act now—and take proactive steps—to stop the decimation of the suckler herd.
“A payment of €300/suckler cow must be delivered with the help of a revamped Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) that actually works for suckler farmers who have seen their incomes drop to an average of just €7,425,” McNamara said.
ICSA
The ICSA president said that beef finishers, sheep, and tillage farmers, who have all seen dramatic income declines, also need urgent support.
“In 2023, beef finishers endured a 19% drop in incomes, leaving them with an average of €14,735, while sheep farmers saw a 22% drop to €12,625, and tillage farmers faced a staggering 71% reduction in income.
“This is why Budget 2025 must deliver €150/head to beef finishers for finishing cattle earlier, as this requires substantial investment and cannot be achieved without targeted support.
“For sheep farmers, we are seeking a minimum of €35/ewe, including a standalone scheme for sheep dipping worth €10/head.
“For tillage farmers, the recommendations from the Food Vision Tillage Report must be fully funded and implemented without delay,” McNamara said.
The ICSA also stressed to the Taoiseach and Minister McConalogue the need for an early intervention on winter feeds.
“Grass growth has been way down and it’s already shaping up to be a disastrous winter fodder and feed wise.
“Early intervention in the form of assisting farmers to purchase the necessary supplies to get them through the winter is essential,” McNamara said.
Retirement scheme
The ICSA president said he told Taoiseach Simon Harris that “the need for a well-funded retirement scheme has also never been more urgent”.
“Such a scheme should provide financial security for retiring farmers while facilitating the next generation of farmers to take over, grow their business, and secure a sustainable income.
“A future for Irish farming must include clear pathways for transition and rejuvenation,” he said.
McNamara added that there is an urgent need to streamline access to social protection through Farm Assist.
“Despite farmers struggling with extremely low earnings, they continue to face unnecessary barriers when trying to access basic social welfare support, and this must be resolved,” he said.
The ICSA president stressed the need for the government to “do everything in its power to protect the nitrates derogation”
“Any further reduction in the derogation would have serious repercussions on the cattle, sheep, and tillage sectors by significantly increasing pressure on the land rental market,” he said.