Farming and food production systems must be protected and any proposal to
reduce Ireland's national herd is not acceptable.
That's according to Cavan-Monaghan Deputy, Brendan Smith, who raised the
issue in the Dáil just before the Christmas recess.
Deputy Smith said a recent report by the Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group
pointed to a sharp reduction in the suckler herd.
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He highlighted how uacceptable "under any circumstances" that would be and
indicated the need for "balance" in the overall debate on the matter.
Deputy Smith added that the beef and dairy sectors were huge contributors to
the rural economy and to Ireland's export earnings.
