Opening this weekend’s Fine Gael conference, Minister of State for Agriculture Martin Heydon described farming as “our most important indigenous industry since the foundation of the state. If we are to enhance food security, we must produce food in parts of the world where it is most suitable. But we must also do so within planetary boundaries.”
Various topics were discussed.
Dawn Meats commercial director, Richard Clinton, highlighted the fact that there needs to be better management of the breed programme of the dairy herd to provide stock that is suitable to be finished as beef.
He added that, “In terms of the by product from the dairy industry, the progeny available has to be of better quality that can be converted into beef. Because otherwise we’ll end up in a situation which we’ve seen in other countries where calves are shot shortly after birth because they’re not of a suitable quality in order to be finished into beef.”
Beef Plan Movement founder and Emerald Isle Producer Group chair Eamon Corley, later challenged Clinton, saying “Dawn Meats are one of the big three beef processors who many farmers feel exercise undue control of the meat industry. They have said they would be willing to work with producer organisations. Yet the big three have refused to deal with our producer organisation,” said Corley. “I don’t think that’s in the spirit of giving power to the farmers. Will Dawn do what they said they would do and deal with a farmer-run producer group?” he queried.
Clinton responded saying that, “We do deal with producer groups as part of our organisation. I don’t know the specific reasons or discussions you may have had, but I would look to the proposition you put forward as to why it wasn’t successful.”
Minister Heydon tasked Fine Gael’s new agriculture forum with delivering a policy for on-farm energy microgeneration within three months.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar also addressed the meeting in the afternoon.