Irish Farmers Question Levy Burden
IRELAND - Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) president Patrick Kent has said that farmers can no longer carry the burden of levies deducted from livestock prices which are failing to deliver a viable income.
26 November 2015
1 minute read
He is calling for the end of non-statutory levies which are deducted without the express permission of farmers when they supply livestock to factories and marts.
“ICSA does not receive a red cent of its income from levies deducted from farmers’ cheques.
"Nonetheless we are delivering strong representation for farmers at National and EU level on a wide range of issues including TTIP, regulation of the food chain, 30 month limits for beef cattle, and fighting against unfair penalties imposed as a result of inspections.”
Mr Kent added that it was also time for a full value for money review of statutory levies.
"Disease levels have dropped significantly yet this is not reflected in the levy. Farmers see little benefit in Bord Bia levies when the differential between Irish and British beef prices is over a euro a kilo on R grade steers.”
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