Coveney Opens Tullamore Show
Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, today (Sunday 9th August) officially opened the annual Tullamore Show.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Coveney said “Agricultural shows such as this one in Tullamore play an important role in the social calendar of the farming community. They allow farmers to meet their friends and fellow farmers and discuss the latest development in farming and agri-food business. This is all the more relevant now the sector is such a key driver of economic growth and export earnings.
The Minister spoke on a range of topics including the beef sector. “I am very pleased to see the upturn in beef market conditions this year and particularly the renewed confidence which is evident in the marts throughout the country and in the prices being received for finished animals in the factories. Large numbers of farmers have applied for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, which is now fully subscribed. There is no other country in Europe investing in suckler beef breeding at the same scale as in Ireland, and I am excited about what this €300 million investment can deliver on the ground for suckler farmers in the years ahead”.
On the dairy sector the Minister noted that “There can be no doubt that softening of global dairy markets has had an impact on dairy farmers in Ireland and throughout the EU and the possibilities remain for this to continue. Farmers and other stakeholders are very much aware that price volatility will be a fact of life from now on, and have taken steps to cope with that volatility. In the short to medium term all stakeholders at national and EU level must together face and address challenges such as price volatility utilising all tools at our disposal. Taking a longer term perspective, the future post quota abolition is very positive and presents a significant opportunity for Irish dairy farmers. The long-term future global fundamentals for the dairy sector remain very positive, with increasing worldwide consumer demand, particularly in the middle and far-east being driven by population growth as well as growth in the middle classes”.
Referring to farm safety the Minister said that “I cannot let the opportunity pass without reminding farmers and their families to be vigilant when it comes to farm safety. It is one of the most important issues facing farming today. Statistics show that the highest areas of accidents relate to tractors, other machinery and livestock. Cattle can be unpredictable and it is important, therefore, to take great care when approaching or handling livestock to prevent an accident from occurring. I urge you all, and indeed every organisation and person involved in farming, to continually highlight the issue of safety, and make farming a safer occupation for all involved in the sector”.
The Minister concluded by thanking the Tullamore Show Chairman, Secretary, organising committee and the team of volunteers who have put in many hours of hard work in preparing for the event.
View this Press Release as a PDF: DAFMPR 143/2015 (pdf 413Kb)
Date Released: 09 August 2015
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