Beef processors ‘ready to explore’ flexibilities in row over cattle weight
Ireland (MII), which represents the processors, said yesterday it hoped to meet with farmers as soon as possible on the issues that have led to the current dispute in the industry. MII chief executive Ciaran Fitzgerald, speaking on RTE’s Morning Ireland, said he recognised the year had been tough for farmers.
“We recognise that there is a long-term trend and a long-term trend in demand, well established, for younger, lighter animals.
“But given the hardship suffered by farmers this year, we are prepared to look at something in the context of weights and the penalties that might apply to weights,” he said.
IFA president Eddie Downey, speaking ahead of a meeting of livestock farmers in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, last night, said farmers wanted to know what Meat Industry Ireland meant when it said it was willing to explore flexibilities.
Mr Downey said Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney will have to remain centrally involved to ensure genuine progress is made in resolving the price and specification cuts that have so badly damaged confidence in the beef sector this year.
“IFA will engage to address the real issues, but it is essential that the minister remains fully engaged to ensure a positive outcome and fair play for farmers,” he said.
Earlier, livestock farmers protested at the Lidl supermarket in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, as part of the ongoing IFA campaign over cattle price and specification cuts.
Meanwhile, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association warned that any deal on a solution to the ongoing beef crisis must involve all the players and cover all the issues.
Beef Committee chairman, Edmond Phelan, said it was clear the meat factories were worried about the ICSA’s threat to withdraw from the Quality Assured Scheme.
“But they are very much mistaken if they think they can do a bilateral deal behind closed doors without addressing all the key issues.
“ICSA has always been available for discussions on these issues, but unless we see meaningful progress, we will continue with our planned action,” he said.
Limerick ICSA branch is to hold a three-hour protest outside the ABP meat plant at Rathkeale from 9am today to highlight the ongoing crisis and the knock-on effects on farmers.
