Minister urged to convene meeting between the IFA and meat factories
That’s what IFA president Eddie Downey said yesterday “in order to make progress in resolving the price and specification cuts that have so badly damaged confidence in the beef sector this year.”
He said last week the minister met with the factories and called for “positive engagement” between processors and producers.
Mr Downey said the IFA is committed to making progress, but Mr Coveney needs to remain centrally involved and chair the engagement. Anger and frustration among farmers over the beef crisis is growing and urgent and decisive action is required from the minister, he said.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association warned, however, that any deal must involve all farm organisations, meat industry representatives, and ideally supermarket representatives and cover all the issues.
ICSA beef committee chairman Edmond Phelan also said meat factories and supermarkets are very much mistaken if they think the inevitable beef price rise when cattle get scarce will soften up farmers.
Meanwhile, West Cork ICSA will stage a protest at the ABP meat plant in Bandon today from 8am to 2pm to highlight the ongoing beef crisis and the knock-on effects on farmers.
