NEWS & EVENTS

ICMSA President says publication of EU’s ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy is “last chance” to rebalance food supply chain

2020-05-19

The President of ICMSA has warned that tomorrow’s announcement of the EU’s ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy represents what Pat McCormack called “a last chance” to preserve what’s left of the EU’s family farm system and wrest back control and direction of the EU’s Food Supply Chain from the retail…

ICMSA Spring 2020 Newsletter

2020-05-19

ICMSA Spring Newsletter 2020

ICMSA call for priority testing for workers in meat processing plants

2020-05-15

The President of ICMSA, Pat McCormack, said that it is vital that a co-ordinated approach is taken to the Covid-19 issues in meat processing plants. Mr. McCormack said that as an essential service delivering high quality food on a daily basis to consumers, priority testing and other supports should be made…

ICMSA say April cut “frustrating” and say milk price must be “consolidated” starting next month

2020-05-13

The Chairperson of ICMSA’s Dairy Committee said that farmer-suppliers would be left “frustrated” by the announcement of further cuts by Glanbia and Lakelands, but Gerald Quain was emphatic that this latest cut must be the last and there could be no question of a cut for May milk. The cut…

ICMSA say tomorrow’s EU Farm Council has to “straighten up, get serious and provide the support”

2020-05-12

Speaking in advance of tomorrow’s EU Farm Council meeting, ICMSA President, Pat McCormack, said that he hoped and expected that the overwhelmingly negative and disappointed reaction to the EU’s derisory support of its farming sector thus far – a reaction that Mr. McCormack said was fully justified – had concentrated…

Cancellation of 2020 Ploughing – ICMSA share disappointment but “understand completely”

2020-05-08

“Obviously we share the disappointment of everyone involved in farming, as well as the many thousands of the wider rural population who look forward to going to the Ploughing every year. But we understand completely the nature of the decision and the reasons behind it. It’s an essential part of…

ICMSA querying “over-pessimistic” view on milk price – March price cut cost farmers €15 million

2020-05-08

While fully recognising the impact of Covid-19 on dairy markets since mid-March, the Chairperson of ICMSA’s Dairy Committee has queried what he said was the “over-pessimistic” outlook on milk price that was being advanced by certain commentators and bodies. Ger Quain said that while it was obviously important that milk…

Access to Finance and Welfare supports during COVID-19 for Farmers

2020-04-24

Here are some practical steps, supports and guidance to help your farm business currently. Talk to your bank All the banks have announced that they will offer flexibility to their customers, and they may be able to provide payment holidays or emergency working capital facilities. A summary of the main responses…

ICMSA Welcomes Changes To TB Testing Programme

2020-04-01

In the context of the ongoing Covid crisis, ICMSA welcomes the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s decision to extend the requirement of a TB test for calves from 42 days to 120 days. This decision means that calves can be sold off the farm for up to four…

ICMSA ask farmers to respect procedure in Co-op outlets and feed merchants

2020-04-01

As the present Covid crisis goes into its third week, Denis Drennan, Chairperson of ICMSA’s Farm & Rural Affairs Committee, cautioned against any degree of complacency and familiarity creeping in to our day-to-day routine and reminded farmers of the vital importance that all practice social distancing and the safety guidelines…