IFA are putting beef industry at risk, claim cattlemen
IMA chief executive John Smith said an escalation in an ongoing IFA campaign at meat factories was misguided and irresponsible.
Mr Smith said the IMA was concerned and disappointed that, despite appeals from meat processors and the Minister for Agriculture, the IFA had escalated its action at meat factories.
"The IFA campaign is misguided, misinformed and irresponsible and it is damaging to producers and processors in the short, medium and long term," Mr Smith said.
Mr Smith was speaking as Round-the-clock IFA pickets were set up at six Anglo-Irish Beef Processors (AIBP) plants last week. Pickets were extended yesterday to include five Dawn Meats factories.
"The IFA action comes at a time when Irish beef processors are working extremely hard seeking out new markets for Irish beef," said Mr Smith.
"The IFA's obstruction of normal processing can only make this challenge more difficult. The ongoing IFA action at meat plants could also result in the loss of existing contracts, adding to the overall problems facing the industry."
But IFA president John Dillion fought back last night. He said meat factories have refused to raise prices paid to cattlemen despite improvements in market access, returns and EU supports.
"Friday's decision in Brussels to increase beef export refunds to Egypt clearly provides for an immediate cattle price increase, which could diffuse the current dispute," Mr Dillon said.
But the IMA maintains prices have increased. "Despite continuing market difficulties, the price paid for cattle this year has actually increased by 2% over last year and this year's price has been consistently higher than last year's level," said Mr Smith.
"Given this combination of increased returns to farmers, higher processing costs for factories and extremely difficult international market conditions it is now time for the IFA to call off its action programme at meat plants and to adopt a more responsible approach in the interest of all cattle producers and the entire sector", he continued.
