22 JULY 2019

ICSA president Edmond Phelan has said the Beef Forum must be reconvened as a matter of urgency. Furthermore, Mr Phelan insisted that the retail sector must be included in those discussions if progress is to be made. “It’s time for retailers to step up to the plate and participate as stakeholders. Along with primary producers and processors, they are an integral part of the beef supply chain and there must be more openness and partnership if the industry is to survive,” he said.

Continuing Mr Phelan said, “The Beef Forum must reconvene, and it must work better. Last October ICSA, along with other farming organisations, did not attend the Forum. At that time, beef farmers had been dealing with processors savagely cutting prices week after week. These cuts continued and have now resulted in a €100m EU fund of exceptional aid. However, the time is now right to get back around the table and work collaboratively to get beef back from the brink.”

“Beef farmers can no longer be left to carry the can alone. Models of production up to now have all been based on one stakeholder, the primary producer, taking all the risk. This model has failed and it’s time to establish a new one before it’s too late for all concerned.”

ENDS