Fine Gael TDs attack industry control by ‘beef barons’
Mayo Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin said: “Factories do not hesitate to impose penalties to reduce the price per kilogram and, naturally, this has an adverse impact on farmers.
“A farmer who phones different factories on a Friday will get different prices; on Monday the farmer will get the same prices from different factories, whether they sell to Italy or to Tesco in the UK. Why is this the case? There is abuse of a dominant position, which the Competition Authority must address.”
Donegal North East Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh said: “We must be proactive in tackling the cartel system among processors here.”
Kildare Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon said: “The beef barons must be controlled and forced to pay farmers a decent price for their cattle. If the situation is not tackled, it will leave the CAP deal useless as farmers will abandon farming... I talk to many farmers in the marts who tell me that the factories are accessing the animal identification and movement, AIM, system and that there are competition issues. We need proof, and when we get it we will go after anybody involved vigorously.The quality payment scheme, into which the IFA entered with Meat Industry Ireland in 2009, must be revisited.”
Longford-Westmeath Fine Gael TD James Bannon said: “Factories are refusing to buy stock or delaying purchase for one or two weeks. They are controlling the entire trade by dragging down prices for animals... The beef barons who control the trade are importing cattle from Poland. I ask the minister to clarify this very serious matter.
“Live exports are vital for price competition and we must seriously consider the removal of the roadblocks impeding the live trade to Northern Ireland.”
Galway East Fine Gael TD Paul Connaughton warned: “One can burn the producers only so many times before they leave the industry altogether. One will then be left with a far greater problem.”
