NEWS & EVENTS

Difference of up to €1000 in August milk cheque for 80 cow-herd between top paying Co-ops and others

2020-09-22

The Chairperson of ICMSA’s Dairy Committee said that he was not sure that everyone appreciated the kind of difference that existed between the top and bottom paying Co-ops and how that translated into what Gerald Quain said was “serious money”. “The ‘Rule of Thumb’ that we’d work off is that…

ICMSA say opportunity to get PGI for 70% of grass-fed Irish Beef “should be siezed”

2020-09-18

Against the background of Covid-19. Brexit and a potential Mercusor agreement, the Irish beef sector has an opportunity to take a positive step forward by submitting a PGI application for Irish Grass Fed Beef under which 70% of Irish beef – including dairy beef – would qualify. But…

ICMSA meet Minister McConalogue and encouraged by his “energy and command of the brief”

2020-09-09

After his first meeting with Minister McConalogue this afternoon, the President of ICMSA said that he was encouraged by the energy that the new Minister seemed intent on bringing to his position and the command of the questions he showed. Pat McCormack said that while it was certain that he…

New Commissioner McGuinness asked to look at “extravagant” interest rates banks charging on farm loans and finance

2020-09-08

The President of ICMSA, Pat McCormack, wished Mairead McGuiness well in her new role as EU Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union and said that it is absolutely essential that in her new role as Commissioner she plays her part in ensuring the best possible outcome for…

As ANC and BPS payment dates loom, farmers told to check their Agfood accounts for Department contact

2020-09-04

With the payment date for the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) only two weeks away and the BPS payment to be made on the 16th October, the Deputy President of ICMSA has called on the Department to issue all outstanding queries so that farmers can respond on time and ensure…

Minister McConalogue told there’s no time for ‘Honeymoon Period’

2020-09-02

The President of ICMSA, Pat McCormack, has welcomed the appointment of Charlie McConalogue to the position of Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and said it would be difficult to overstate the number and importance of the challenges facing the incoming Minister. “I’m afraid I don’t think there can…

ICMSA’s McCormack says farming and food sectors “effectively rudderless”

2020-08-27

The President of ICMSA has said that the Irish priority now must be to retain the Trade Portfolio within the EU Commission and that could only happen if the Government nominates someone with the requisite skill-set and a record of political and negotiating achievement. Mr. Pat McCormack said that there…

ICMSA say “National Interest” dictates that Hogan remains Commissioner

2020-08-23

Commenting on the calls for the resignation or sacking of EU Commissioner for Trade, Phil Hogan, the President of ICMSA has warned against what he called “cutting off our Brexit nose to spite our Covid face”. Pat McCormack said that it would strategically self-defeating and self-indulgent for the Government…

ICMSA say farmers will learn of Calleary resignation with “disbelief” and say replacement Minister must be appointed “immediately”

2020-08-21

The President of ICMSA said that farmers will learn of Minister Calleary’s resignation with something approaching disbelief. Pat McCormack said that it was unacceptable that the state’s biggest indigenous economic activity was without cabinet representation and that must be rectified immediately. Mr McCormack said it was difficult to remember a…

ICMSA want Minister Calleary to take “personal interest” in beef exports to China

2020-08-14

The Chairperson of ICMSA’s Livestock Committee has urged Minister Calleary to “look at all the possibilities around re-starting beef exports to China”. Des Morrison said that not the least damage that recent events had inflicted on the farm and food sector was the halt to Irish beef exports to China…