June 14, 2006

IFA to pursue suckler cow herd maintenance programme

IFA (Irish Farm Association) representatives are meeting with Department of Agriculture Officials to forward the IFA agenda for the introduction of a GBP100 million Suckler Cow Herd Maintenance Programme.

The suckler cow herd has been declining in parts of Ireland.

Maintaining the suckler cow herd is critical for the economic and environmental preservation of rural Ireland as well as for the future development of Ireland's beef export sector, a spokesman from IFA said.

IFA is also proposing the programme in order to sustain suckler cow numbers and Irish family farms.

IFA National Livestock Chairman John Bryan said there are over 60,000 farmers dependant on suckler cow production, adding that the challenges facing the Irish beef sector and particularly the suckler cow herd are immense.

The IFA Livestock Chairman said the Ministry of Agriculture has given a strong commitment to providing additional support for the suckler cow herd.

The agricultural Minister's Action Plan has specifically recognised the importance of the suckler herd, Bryan said.