Beef intervention sale crucial says ICSA

THE sale of the final 12 tons of EU intervention beef stock onto the market was described by the ICSA as a significant day for Irish beef farmers."

Beef Committee Chairman Robin Smith said all EU beef intervention stores are empty for the first time in many years and farmers can look forward with confidence as they enter the decoupled era.

"The bad old days of beef mountains and over production associated with the headage based premia system are hopefully over. The EU is only 95% self sufficient in beef production and with no intervention stocks overhanging the market beef producers can look forward to regaining some control over their industry post decoupling."