Independent TD Carol Nolan has said that many farmers in contact with her office remain bewildered by the Government’s half-hearted and less than enthusiastic approach to the national beef sector.
The Laois Offaly deputy, who is a member of the Rural Independent Group, was speaking following her contribution to the Group’s Dáil motion which calls on Government to definitively rule out implementing a cull or targeted reduction of dairy and beef herds:
“I have lost track of the number of farmers who have spoken to me on this issue. They simply cannot get their heads around the idea that Government seems intent on undermining the future viability of farms in order to reach emission targets that will be massively disruptive to their livelihoods,” said Deputy Nolan.
“For very many of these farmers there seems to be a bizarre preference among some in Government to prioritise grasshoppers as a source of protein rather than grass-based beef.”
“What I am seeking is clarity. What I am seeking is an end to the uncertainty that has plagued Irish farming policy for the last number of years particularly around beef deals such as Mercosur and the extent to which the existing model of farming will be ‘transitioned’ to a new model that threatens incomes,” concluded Deputy Nolan.