Processors group backs beef forum

AGRICULTURE Minister Mary Coughlan’s decision to establish a beef forum to examine the sector has been welcomed by Meat Industry Ireland (MII), representing processors.

The body was set up in light of prevailing opportunities and challenges for the sector.

Cormac Healy, director of MII, said it had advocated the need for a constructive debate on this important sector in order to set out a blueprint for development in the years ahead.

“The beef forum will provide an objective platform to address both short and medium term factors relevant to the sector,” he said.

Mr Healy said the forum will need to look at a range of issues from cost recovery challenges at producer and processor level. These include retail buying power, marketing of Irish beef, efficiency and productivity at farm level, processing competitiveness, through to world trade talks and the Common Agricultural Policy Health Check implications.

“The beef sector is and will continue to be an important indigenous industry within the National economy. It generates export earnings in excess of €1.5 billion annually.

“Given the right decisions and guidance it will overcome challenges and take advantage of new opportunities to the benefit of producers, processors consumers and the overall economy,” he said.