MEP for Offaly warns animal disease can spell extinction for small farmers

Former RTE Midlands correspondent highlights Ireland's critical reliance on livestock

THE severe impact of animal diseases and economic pressures on the livestock sector, has been highlighted at the European Parliament’s Agricultural Committee meeting by MEP for Offaly and the Midlands, Ciaran Mullooly.

The former RTE man emphasised the urgent need to protect small family farms.

Mullooly highlighted Ireland's critical reliance on livestock to the committee: "Ireland has probably the highest level of livestock farming in the EU, with over 85% of farms keeping cattle and sheep. And it’s the main economic driver in rural Ireland, with over 5.7 billion euro output, supporting some 50,000 jobs and 100,000 farmers."

He stressed that modest family farms are the sector’s backbone, and that they can face existential threats: "We’re not just talking about full-time, professional, big farmers, ranch farmers. Our nation is like many in Europe, based on a modest family farm structure. We must remember that, especially as we move towards CAP."

Detailing the challenges, Mullooly cited bureaucratic hurdles compounding disease-related losses: "Today, a poultry farmer in my constituency, with livestock, cleared of a suspected salmonella outbreak, yet still struggling with red tape is facing losses of over €80,000. And the fear of not being able to get compensation for this loss."

He criticised the EU’s policy focus, stating: "There’s too much talk in this house from farming organisations, talking about the big farmer. We have to look at the reality."

Mullooly commented that, “ The reality is that most farmers are small farmers and if something goes wrong with their animals, their business… their income can suddenly face extinction. If we want real food security, we need to give family farms the defences they need.. the full support to be able to cope with animal disease and price fluctuation, which as my constituents have experienced, can ruin a farmer’s livelihood and cause considerable stress.”

Concluding, Mullooly implored policymakers: "So let’s remember all of our livestock farmers, and the stresses and pressures they are going through as we face into this CAP," urging reforms centred on smallholders’ survival.