European Court to rule on beef production case

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.

An advocate general of the court will deliver a legal opinion, which will give an indication whether a scheme by beef processors to compensate firms to leave the industry is contrary to EU competition laws.

The case was referred to the court after a Supreme Court ruling in 2007 as a result of proceedings taken by the Competition Authority against the Beef Industry Development Society (BIDS) and beef processor Barry Brothers (also known as Carrigmore Meats) in Conna, Co Cork.