Meat processing sector warning
Pat O’Rourke, president, who met with the Irish Meat Association (IMA) and the Federation of Irish Renderers, said unsustainable costs from the Department of Agriculture and Food are to blame.
He said over 30 month steers and bulls, and females born since January 1, 2000, face a BSE test charge of 20.29 per head from yesterday.
He said the withdrawal of meat and bonemeal subsidy will be equivalent to an extra cost of 13 per head of cattle slaughtered.
Mr O'Rourke said this cannot be funded by farmers or the industry.
The increased disease levy of 5.08 per head and a possible 3 extra cost relating to blood disposal will bring the total amount to be levied on an over 30 month animal to 41.37, which represents 5.7% of the value of the animal.
When veterinary inspection charges are added, the costs will be in excess of 46 per head of cattle, he said.
Mr O’Rourke called for a meeting between the Department and the various interests.
A Department spokesman said the State provided some 460 million in support to the livestock sector in 2001.
This includes payment for BSE testing, the purchase for destruction and special purchase schemes and 66 million direct support of the rendering sector.
In 2002, the rendering support was reduced to some 43 million. A further 28 million was provided in the current year's estimates. The current provision will only cover rendering carried out up to the end February and for ongoing costs for product in store to the year end.
