Meat factory price cuts ignore surge in demand

In recent weeks the meat factories have cut Irish cattle prices by up to 40c/kg, or €150/hd, opening up a major price gap with prices in our main export market in the UK. The IFA have reacted strongly, reflecting the farmer anger on the ground with the factories.

An emergency meeting of the IFA executive council and national livestock committee, which was attended by an Ulster Farmers’ Union group, was held in Portlaoise last week. IFA county officers and livestock farmers have met with meat plant managers in every county. Henry Burns, IFA national livestock chairman, outlines the impact of the factory price cuts on farmers and the livestock trade.

* Factories have cut cattle prices severely in recent weeks. What is the real market situation? Was this move justified or not?