IRISH beef producers could lose up to £260 million this year as a result of the BSE crisis, according to the Irish Farmers' Association. The EU compensation package of £57 million would cover less than a quarter of that.
At an angry meeting yesterday afternoon farmers described the Government response as pathetic. Earlier they sat in the Dail public gallery listening to the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Yates, speak on the crisis.
Most of the 150 farmers left the Dail after Mr Yates's speech without waiting to hear the opposition response. The IFA president, Mr John Donnelly, said their departure was a protest against the Government.
At a meeting in Buswell's Hotel one farmer described the beef industry as being "on its knees and heading down the tubes". Another farmer said he got up at 7 a.m. yesterday to take his cattle to the market. "They went off at 86p [a pound]. They were given away." Before the BSE scare in March beef was selling for about £1 a pound.
Another farmer said he was disappointed at the number of TDs in the Dail for the start of the debate. "I think we have to say loud and clear that if they don't get up off their backsides and do something for us there'll be new faces in there in 12 months' time."
Mr Michael Berkery, IFA general secretary, told the meeting Irish beef farmers were more vulnerable than other European countries due to the high dependence on exports. "There is a black hole looming this autumn and short of intervention I do not see where else we can go."
Mr Donnelly said he was "outraged" at Mr Yates's response. He accused the Minister of failing to grasp the seriousness of the threat to the £1.7 billion industry.
A spokesman for the Department of Agriculture said Mr Yates would be discussing the compensation package at the European Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting in Luxembourg on Monday and Tuesday.
"There is an offer of £60 million on the table and he regards that as a good opening offer. It has to be more than that and it has to be targeted better at those who are worst affected."
