Widening beef price differential with UK must be closed, says IFA

The widening Irish beef price differential with Britain must be closed, the Irish Farmers’ Association has warned.

IFA livestock committee chairman Henry Burns said the association has consistently highlighted the absence of a strong live export trade between Ireland and Britain as a key reason for the unacceptable price differential. He said Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney must tackle and resolve the issues that are denying Irish farmers open access and competition to the British market for live cattle.

Meanwhile, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association is predicting that beef prices will remain strong for 2014. But it insists efforts must continue to consolidate and improve the prices being paid in future.

The assessment follows a forecast by the EU management committee for animal products that the outlook for beef, next year, is stable.