Farm groups want Simon Coveney to take tough line with meat factories
Minister Coveney again hosted talks between farmer groups and processors at his department's Backweston Laboratory Complex in Dublin on Wednesday.
The IFA and other farmer groups sought greater progress on beef price transparency; movement on the age issue from 30 to 36 months; Quality Assurance; and bull beef production.
IFA livestock chairman Henry Burns said a strong live export trade is crucial to maximise price competition and to avoid a repeat of the marketing problems that damaged livestock farmers’ incomes in 2014.
“The age limit must be lifted from 30 to 36 months as set down in the forum," said Mr Burns.
"The Department of Agriculture must increase the level of checks on carcase trim in each meat plan as agreed at the forum and the AIMS system for counting the number of farm residencies must be changed.”
ICSA president Patrick Kent said the factories are continuing to impose "arbitrary" production restrictions which do not relate to market requirements.
