EU beef production in decline

A CONTINUATION of the decline in beef production within the EU is projected up to 2013 at least in the latest report from the European Commission.

According to the report released by the commission beef production within the 27 member states will be down by approximately 470,000 tonnes per annum in 2013 compared to 2006.

The projection is reflecting the expected continuation of the effects of de-coupling from headage based supports to the Single Farm Payment at the start of 2005 as well as the expected increase in production costs arising in particular from higher feed costs over the next six years.