IFA Meets Department on Clean Livestock Policy

IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said IFA has met with the Department of Agriculture on the Clean Livestock Policy (CLP) and it is clear the vast majority of farmers supply cattle that are clean and acceptable for slaughter under the CLP.

The Department of Agriculture outlined to IFA that there are a very small number cases with problems (less than 0.16% of producers) and a Department analysis of the figures shows that over 40% of problem cases were related back to feedlot cattle. He said the Department had analysed the problem cases as “a very small number of producers and a very small number of cattle.”

He said IFA will continue to work with the Department of Agriculture, the processors, Teagasc and farmers to highlight the importance of the Clean Livestock Policy, and to ensure farmers are treated fairly. Angus Woods said it is important all stakeholders work together on this issue in a fair way so as to make real and worthwhile progress. He said, at certain times of the year, the charges imposed in some meat plants under the CLP are excessive and need to be examined by the Department.

IFA National Sheep Chairman John Lynskey said IFA has already been in contact with the Department, Teagasc and the meat processors on the issue of a new CLP for sheep.