ABP defends decision to supplement supply chain

A SPOKESPERSON for ABP food group has said that “unprecedented demand” had led to it supplementing its supply chain with European beef – but the move has been sharply criticised.

IFA President Tim Cullinan described the move as “incredible” at a time when Irish beef farmers are grappling with plummeting prices, saying Ireland has suffered more than most in the face of challenges to the European beef market.

“The European beef market is in turmoil,” said Mr Cullinan. “This has impacted more severely in Ireland as we are an export nation.

“We are being told by processors like ABP that the market for Irish beef has collapsed, yet we see the Irish-owned company filling orders with Polish beef. It is a ‘kick in the teeth’ for Irish beef farmers.

“The ABP Group should front up and give farmers a proper explanation as to why they chose to do this.”

It followed a submission by the IFA to the government and European commission seeking market-stabilisation measures.

“We made it clear last week that the whole sector needs to pull together to put a case forward to the Commission,” Mr Cullinan said. “I made the point that this crisis provided an opportunity for the processing sector to build trust by supporting farmers at this time. What has happened here will only serve to make matters worse.”

ABP defended its move, however, saying the supplementation is temporary, and the product will be produced to the same standards ABP applies to all its products.

“This was a temporary measure related to one product which was clearly labelled and was aimed to meet the surge in demand at that time,” a spokesperson added.