Alarming decline in suckler cow numbers, average income of just €14,700 per farmer

Ciaran Mullooly MEP calls for urgent action to address the decline in suckler cow numbers and beef farmers’ income 

Ciaran Mullooly, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing Midlands-North-West for Independent Ireland, has issued a strong call for immediate action to address the alarming decline in suckler cow numbers and the significant drop in beef farmers’ income in Ireland. 

 Speaking ahead of the annual Beef Show in Tullamore, Mullooly highlighted the critical challenges facing the Irish beef sector, particularly in the Midlands and North-West regions. Ireland has seen a significant reduction in suckler cow numbers over the past decade, with projections indicating a further decline in the coming years. The income of beef farmers has also plummeted, with the Teagasc report for 2023 revealing an average income of just €14,700 per farmer. 

 “This decline is not just a threat to our rural communities and the family farm model, but it’s a national economic issue that requires urgent intervention,” Mullooly stated. “The measures we need to counter this decline are clear and must be implemented without delay.” MEP Mullooly has confirmed that he has written to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen to propose a number of practical steps that can be taken at a European level and moves that must be supported by the Minister for Agriculture here at home. 

  Key measures proposed by MEP Mullooly: 

 1. Extension of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status Mullooly is advocating for the extension of the EU’s Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status to include Irish suckler cow herds. He says this move would help preserve the identity and heritage of native Irish beef and provide a premium market for these products. 

   2. Investigation into the Irish beef market In his correspondence to the Commission President, Mullooly has urged the immediate appointment of THE new Agricultural Commissioner to investigate the dysfunctional beef market in Ireland. The investigation, Mullooly insists, should be conducted in collaboration with Ireland’s newly established Agri-Food Regulatory Body to ensure fair pricing and sustainability in the sector. 

   3. Retail price transparency Mullooly is also calling for greater transparency in retail pricing, specifically advocating for the publication of the percentage of the end product price that goes to producers. This transparency, he argues, is essential for ensuring that farmers receive a fair share of the profits. 

   A call for direct support to suckler herd owners In addition to these measures, Mullooly is pushing for the introduction of a new direct payment scheme specifically aimed at supporting suckler herd owners. This payment would provide much-needed financial stability to farmers and help sustain the suckler herd population in Ireland. Mullooly concluded by stressing the urgency of these actions, stating, “Our beef farmers are the backbone of rural Ireland, and we must take decisive steps to protect their livelihoods and preserve our agricultural heritage.”