Meat factory owners and producers fail to make breakthrough on prices

Roundtable talks between livestock farmers and meat factories have failed to resolve long-running disputes over factory beef prices and meat specifications.

IFA president Eddie Downey said livestock farmers were extremely disappointed and frustrated with the failure of Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney’s new beef forum to deliver any change in the sector.

The IFA leader said the forum had failed to resolve the issues with factories surrounding the proper application of the quality payment system and specifications, and had also failed to remove roadblocks preventing the live trade to Northern Ireland.