THE EU’s top court has declared a rationalisation plan that had been developed by beef processors to reduce capacity in the Irish beef industry to be in breach of EU competition law.

THIS prime 150-acre farm at Curraheen, Conna, Co Cork, last sold in 2002, and made £1.47 million in punts at the time — the equivalent of €1.87, but a lot more if indexed for inflation in the meantime.

THE European Court of Justice has ruled that a scheme run by beef processors to deal with overcapacity is not compatible with EU law and is a restriction of competition.

THE European Court of Justice is to issue a preliminary ruling today on a long-running legal case between the Competition Authority and beef producers over reforms to reduce overcapacity in the sector.