20th August 2014

ICSA president Patrick Kent has said that the ‘softly-softly’ approach to retailers and meat processors is clearly not working, and that the time has come for decisive action.

“Only a strong, united response to this crisis is going to work now,” said Mr. Kent. “ICSA is again calling on all farmers and farm organisations to consider withdrawing from the Quality Assured Scheme. We need to send a clear, unequivocal message to processors and retailers that farmers will not be bullied.”

“What is the use of the Quality Assured Scheme if it is simply being used to penalise farmers? We are now hearing suggestions of another round of arbitrary changes to specifications, including a further lowering of the age limit for bull beef from 16 months to 14 months or lower. It is clear that processors are using threats like this as a precursor to a further cut in beef prices, and there is nothing in the Quality Assured Scheme to protect farmers from this.”