INHFA warns of ongoing threat to suckler sector in Ireland

Reducing suckler slaughter age, one of the proposals set out in the government’s Climate Action Plan, “will do nothing to reduce emissions”, a farm organisation has cautioned today (Tuesday, January 17). The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association (INHFA) said it views the targets outlined in the Climate Action Plan as an “immediate threat to suckler farmers with larger carcass breeds”. Vincent Roddy, president of the INHFA, said the targets, which were initially set out as proposals in the Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group report and then incorporated into the government’s Climate Action Plan 2023, are not in line with a “sustainable farming model”. The INHFA withdrew from the Food Vision group discussions last November before the report was published. Targets for suckler slaughter age The government’s latest Climate Action Plan sets out a target to get “processors and farmers to reduce the average age of slaughter to 24–25 months” by 2025 and a further target of 22-23 months ...