Not Enough Focus on Incomes in EU Livestock Strategy

IFA President Francie Gorman said the Livestock Strategy launched by the EU Commission today doesn’t have enough focus on the difficult income conditions in the sector.

“The Strategy identifies five priorities, but the low margins and cost pressures are relegated to the background note in the document released by the Commission today,” he said.

“It’s all very well to talk about ‘making the sector more self-sufficient, sustainable and resilient’. However, the future will only be secured if those considering a career in livestock production can see that it’s possible to make a living out of it,” he said.

In the ten years since 2015, cattle numbers across the EU have fallen by 10% and sheep numbers have reduced by over 12%.

Francie Gorman said in Ireland, those in livestock production fall well behind other sectors when it comes to income. Despite a better year last year, the reality is that thousands of farmers rely on EU supports for more than 100% of their income.

“The EU Commission spent a long time putting this report together, but the only conclusion that could be drawn from it is that the focus is on issues other than income.”