Disparity between French and Irish prices

BEEF producers in France are this week receiving €150 more than Irish farmers for the average steer, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) claimed yesterday.

ICMSA beef and cattle committee chairman Martin McMahon said it is obvious someone is gaining at the expense of Irish beef producers.

The question is whether it is the retailers, the processors, or both.

Mr McMahon called on policymakers to ensure that beef producers are protected from increasing concentration and consolidation of the trade at processor level and, more markedly, at retail level.