Farmers focus on specific markets
Michael Duffy, chief executive, said more opportunities for this type of partnership will present themselves now that EU beef production is in deficit for the first time in over a quarter of a century.
He was addressing Bord Bia’s first beef and lamb producers national conference in Tullamore, County Offaly, which discussed issues relating to the country’s €2 billion export trade in meat and livestock.
Mr Duffy said progress can best be achieved through producers and processors working in partnership to position products to greatest advantage in the marketplace. “Our focus in 2004 is to assist in the improvement of export performance in the beef and lamb sectors. This will be achieved by securing more markets, getting the best customers within these markets, and achieving the highest possible price.”
Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh told the 300 producers present that beef exports were up 6% and live exports of 220,000 head were up almost 50% in 2003. A strong presence was maintained on traditional markets such as Britain, where record exports of 260,000 tonnes, were achieved. Continental Europe performed extremely well, taking 145,000 tonnes of Irish beef.
Sheepmeat demand in France, the main export market, was down, but exports to Britain and northern Europe increased. Consumption at home was strong and more than offset lower French demand.
Minister Walsh said a decision on a proposed new EU regulation on animal transport is expected to come up for decision during Ireland’s presidency.
It is in Ireland’s interests to implement EU rules to ensure animals are properly cared for during transport.
However, there are aspects of the current proposal which, if unaltered, will make it difficult for exporters to continue to do business economically.
IFA Livestock Committee chairman John Bryan agreed that the current animal transport proposals would wreck the live export trade. He said the minister must secure changes to the EU proposals on staging posts, stocking densities, travel and rest times during Ireland’s EU presidency.
