Tipperary farmer challenges ‘ridiculous’ exclusion of certain breeds from Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme

The Chairperson of the ICMSA Livestock Committee, Michael O Connell, has criticised the ‘eligible cow’ criteria of the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme and he especially noted the exclusion of the Fleckvieh and Montbeliarde breed calves, describing their exclusion as ridiculous.

Mr. O’Connell said that the development of this potentially ‘game-changing’ sector was being hampered by a ‘top-down’’ confusion on the point and focus of the scheme.

“The terms and conditions highlight breeds under two classes: Dairy and Beef, but the forementioned breeds are not included in either." said Mr. O'Connell.

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"Farmers using ‘dual purpose’ breeds such as Fleckvieh and Montbeliarde are being excluded because they are not classified as a dairy breed in the eligible cow criteria of the Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme. These breeds are producing a calf that have all the attributes required in the beef and dairy industry. The calf being produced by these cows has the ability to meet carcass requirements as set out by processors in terms of carcass conformation and carcass weight. The omission of these breeds is ridiculous and needs to be revisited so that we see these good quality calves that these breeds produce with the selection of a suitable bull or AI straw be included”.

"ICMSA is calling on the Minister to re-evaluate these criteria as it is completely inaccurate and unjustified and immediately include both breeds as ‘eligible’ under the Dairy Beef Scheme” he concluded. 

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