The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA) has cautioned against proposals for any further reduction in the suckler herd.
The Government imposed targets to deliver a reduction in overall emissions, and specifically a 22% to 30% reduction in agriculture, this however should not involve further reductions to suckler sector.
The sector has seen a significant reduction over the last 10 years with numbers falling by 160,000 cows, from 1,067,398 in 2012 to 907,059 in 2021, which represents a 15% fall in the national herd population.
Sean Martin is spokesperson for suckler farmers in Donegal for INHFA, he says suckler farmers are already delivering for the environment and the economy and they must be supported.
