IFA Says It's Not Viable For Farmers To Diversify Into Horse-Breeding

Thursday, 18 August 2022 17:44

By Caoimhe Harney

Carbury farmer and the Deputy president Irish Farmers Association, Brian Rushe says the market is already flooded with foals.

It isn't viable for livestock farmers to diversify into horse-breeding, according to Kildare farmer and the Deputy president Irish Farmers Association, Brian Rushe.

Mr. Rushe was respomding to comments made by Junior Agriculture Minister Pippa Hackett, who told the Irish Independent she'd like to explore if farmers could generate income through horses.

The Laois - Offaly Green Party senator also said the move could help Ireland meet its environmental targets, as horses produce less methane compared with cattle or sheep.

However, Senator Hackett also said she's not necessarily encouraging farmers to reduce their existing herds.

Brian Rushem, who farms in Carbury, commented: "I would be more in favour of supporting the small and medium sized breeders, that are already in the sector and struggling.

"Rather than encouraging more people into it," he said.

"The thing that we don't want to happen here, is for those farmers and breeders already in the sector.

"We don't want to see their viability undermined by producing more foals than what are wanted, and that's the danger here.

"It's such a finely balanced market, and people would be telling us that there's already enough foals in the market.

"So I don't know why we would be encouraging more people into the sector, " concluded Rushe.