‘Unsustainable’ beef prices to be discussed at crisis meeting

Focus also on issues faced by sheep industry

A red meat crisis meeting has been called by NFU Scotland’s (NFUS) northeast office-bearers to discuss current “unsustainable” beef prices and the pressures which are also being felt by sheep producers.

“Beef prices have been at unsustainable levels for many months which is now impacting on store cattle prices and suckler cow numbers,” said Aberdeenshire farmer Ian Pirie, who will co-chair the panel meeting which is due to begin at 7pm in Sale Ring 2 at Thainstone, Inverurie, on Monday.

“The sheep industry is also under pressure and facing uncertain times and we would appeal to all farmers, whether NFUS members or not, their families and members of the supply trade, to appear and voice their opinions.”

Panel members will include Andrew Mccornick, president of NFUS; Kate Rowell, chairman of Quality Meat Scotland; Robert Neill, Upper Nisbet Farm, Jedburgh; Scott Donaldson of the Institute of Auctioneers; Neil Mccorkindale of the Scottish Beef Association; and representatives from the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers.

The Thainstone event follows on from the Scottish Government’s beef meeting in Stirling last month and the NFUS #Backscotchbeef campaign, which has been encouraging the Scottish public to support Scottish farmers and crofters.

NFUS livestock chairman Jimmy Ireland said: “There has been no chink of light in the ongoing beef crisis and the mood among beef producers is very downbeat, frustrated and angry.”

He said a farmer with 100 prime cattle to sell will be receiving £20,000 less this year than was available from the market 12 months ago.

Calling for urgent action, Mr Ireland added: “If supermarkets, foodservice operators and wholesalers continue to want environmentally and climatefriendly grass-based Scottish beef, then they must pay a sustainable price for it.”

Morale among beef producers is said to be low.