Irish and French unite to reject beef proposals

FRENCH and Irish farm leaders have come together to outline their strong opposition to the Fischler mid-term review proposals on beef.

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) and the French Federation Nationale Bovine (FNB) said they were particularly concerned about decoupling in the livestock sector.

In a joint statement, following a meeting in Dublin, both bodies claimed decoupling would severely damage suckler beef production in Ireland and France. IFA president John Dillon said he was very encouraged by the strength of FNB opposition to the Fischler proposals in France.

He was particularly impressed by the support French farmers have received from President Chirac and their government. Mr Dillon said the French have led the opposition against the Fischler proposals on the mid-term review at the highest level in Europe.

“It is vitally important that the Irish Government continues to strongly support the French position at European level,” he said.

NBA president Pierre Chevalier, who is also chairman of the COPA EU Beef Committee, said France is absolutely committed to outright opposition on decoupling for the livestock sector. If implemented, it would devastate suckler beef production in France.

IFA National Livestock chairman Derek Deane, who is also chairman of the EU Commission Advisory Committee’s working party on beef, said the FNB outlined a very positive development on mechanical classification in France.

He said the French are proceeding to introduce mechanical classification machines in their meat plants. They have already installed six machines and expect to have 20 in operation by the end of 2003.

Denis Sibille president of the Meat Interprofessional Group said the French industry has decided to move ahead with objective classification and quality measurement so producers can be adequately and accurately rewarded for quality production.