Improved prices for beef suppliers ‘should continue’
He told a round-table meeting of the Beef Forum this is a much improved position for the sector compared to the first meeting of the round-table in April of last year.
“I am pleased to note that the confidence which we saw returning to the market, when we last met in February, has continued to grow,” he said.
Mnister Coveney updated the round-table on the publication of “Food Wise 2025” which has “local roots – global reach.”
There are more than forty actions specifically for the beef sector which will help to drive its competitiveness, he said.
Bord Bia, Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture updated the stakeholders on various issues relating to the beef sector and on the market outlook for the second half of the 2015.
Minister Coveney said the confidence which they saw returning to the sector at the previous round-table in February was evident, in terms of a strengthened market this year so far.
But it was essential to maintain a strategic focus to help ensure the long-term viability of the sector is secure and that it is sufficiently robust to meet future challenges.
Meat Industry Ireland (MII) chairman Philip Carroll, who also welcomed the progress made on key issues, said open access to markets is essential at all levels in the meat chain.
“Extra efforts are urgently needed to ensure that key markets, such as the US and China, are fully open.
“This will allow processors to secure a growing share of these markets, creating a solid foundation to increase this share when additional product becomes available in the coming years,” he said.
Mr Carroll urged the Minister to establish a beef activation committee, with direct industry participation, to push forward with necessary measures that will create further growth and value added in the sector.
