November 25th, 2015
ICSA beef chairman Edmond Phelan has called for an immediate convening of the beef forum to address what he says is “the shocking price differential between Irish and UK beef” and the fact that there has been no movement on the 30 month issue.
“The beef forum must convene; substantive issues remain for beef farmers which have to be urgently addressed. Progress has been too slow and farmers continue to struggle”, he said.
Mr Phelan also said that while exports to the US have been going well, there is no real sign of a benefit to farmers, while the issue of reviewing the grid has been put on the long finger. Factories are again threatening to crucify farmers on weights.
“The impression is that Minister Coveney has lost his enthusiasm for the beef forum but beef farmers need to see their issues being resolved. There is no sense of partnership between factories and producers and profits are a one sided affair”, he concluded.
ENDS
