ICOS president Jerry Long with vice-president James O Donnell.
The agri-food industry is the sector most exposed and impacted by the change in relationship with the UK and this must be reflected in how the funding is used nationally, the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) has said.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney confirmed the funding at the IFA AGM of the north Tipperary executive meeting on Tuesday night.
The support comes as part of the Brexit adjustment Reserve, which is worth a total of €5.4bn up until 2024.
A total of €4.2bn will be released this year and €1.5bn (25%) of that will be received by Ireland.
ICMSA president Pat McCormack
“We made good ground initially, and it’s no fault of the chairman, but everybody needs to realise the urgency that’s facing the industry.
“Our beef industry doesn’t have years to stutter along and be revitalised at that stage. It needs help and it needs it 12 months ago.”
‘No specifics’
Moving to Grant Thornton’s Department-commissioned market and customer requirements draft report - which found “strong market demand” for cattle slaughtered under 30 months of age; “significant market demand” for animals from quality assured farms; and “strong preference” for the four-movement rule among processor and retailers in the UK, EU and some third country markets - McCormack said “its lack of detail was a killer”.