Beef POs cleared to negotiate prices collectively

Beef farmers can now join together and negotiate collectively with processors for better terms and prices for their cattle — without breaching competition law.

As few as 20 beef farmers can come together to strengthen their position by forming a producer organisation (PO).

And a lower number of members in a specific production or geographic area can be allowed by a derogation in the legislation signed by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney last week, to give legal recognition for the first time in Ireland to beef POs.