The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) has called for the commencement of crude protein limits in animal feed to be extended.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) recently issued a reminder for farmers that there is "flexibility" available under concentrate crude protein limits in animal feed.

DAFM said there are flexibilities around the feeding of concentrate from April 15 to September 30 under the nitrates regulations.

'Go on step further'

ICMSA deputy president, Eamon Carroll, has urged the department to "go one step further" and extend the date of commencement for the 14% ration from April 15 to May 15.

“Given the very difficult weather conditions this spring, it is a logical response to the problems being experienced across the country," Carroll said.

"Cows have needed increased protein in their diet and farmers have responded accordingly."

Carroll said it would be "ridiculous if we ended up in a situation whereby farmers are having to explain to an inspection later in the year" that they were feeding higher protein concentrates due to the bad weather.

"The logical and obvious remedy is to simply extend the date of application of the rule to May 15," the ICMSA deputy president said.

“This would save time and hassle for the farmer, the farm advisor, and the department and surely the system can facilitate this sensible approach.

“The farmer knows the weather was bad and so obviously does the department, so should we not just cut out the superfluous bureaucracy and deal with it in a sensible manner?”  

Carroll concluded by noting that most farmers will have to avail of the flexibilities outlined in the legislation and, rather than dealing with an increased administrative burden on farmers, "an extension of one month is much more logical and sensible".