Meat industry must continue drive

IT is now crucial for the Irish meat industry to continue to be market-driven following the CAP reform package.

That’s the view of the Irish Meat Industries Association (IMIA), which said opportunities in European and world markets must be fully exploited.

This was in order to provide for the development of a competitive processing sector and a profitable farming industry.

IMIA director Gerry Farrell said a way forward for European agriculture was agreed in Luxembourg.

But there was unfinished business regarding Ireland’s access to the European single market, particularly in relation to beef. Due to re-nationalisation, Ireland's access to many lucrative continental European beef markets remain restricted.

He urged Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh to address this issue with his European counterparts.

Mr Farrell said claims by the European Commission that the CAP package was aimed at reducing prices to consumers were ill founded.

All previous price reductions agreed under other reform packages have been absorbed by increased regulation and compliance costs imposed on industry, in addition to general increases in business costs, particularly in Ireland.

In relation to exports of subsidised beef to developing countries, Mr Farrell such European exports had fallen by about 50% in the last five years.