Coveney urged to hold summit on income crisis affecting bull farmers

With farmers facing losses of up to €200 per head on bull beef, the IFA wants Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney to host a beef summit with meat factories, the IFA, Bord Bia, and Teagasc.

The IFA agreed to raise bull kill targets in January meetings with Meat Industry Ireland, the Ibec group representing meat factory owners. Weekly kill figures have increased, but farmers are still frustrated by the low price on offer and the oversupply in the market.

IFA president Eddie Downey said a beef summit is needed to tackle the crisis developing on cattle prices and farm incomes for winter and bull beef finishers.