Fine Gael TDs attack industry control by ‘beef barons’

Processor control of the beef industry was criticised by several government TDs in last week’s Dail debate.

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.”