Planned beef sector reforms hit by farmer protests

EFFORTS to rationalise the beef sector have been frustrated by the current farmer unrest over their drop in incomes.

Industry sources have also criticised Government interference in the beef market through Enterprise Ireland.

The group commissioned a report in 1998 that suggested 12 to 13 of the 33 plants in the country ought to be shut down. Suppliers to the beef plants say there is a commercial logic to that from the processor’s perspective, but it is commercial suicide for farmers.