Same price, but farmers ‘paid up to €20% less’

Irish and British beef are retailing at the same price in Tesco UK stores, but meat factories are paying farmers 15% to 20% less for Irish product, ICOS has stated.

The co-op umbrella body yesterday told an Oireachtas committee that the large retailers and Irish-owned meat factories are exercising undue control over the price of beef.

ICOS says it has evidence that no Irish-owned factory in Britain will kill Irish-born cattle, effectively cutting off live trade from Irish marts into Britain.