‘Beef Plan’ initiative farmers to convene at Kanturk Mart
BEEF PRICES SLAMMED AS ‘UNSUSTAINABLE’
THE current prices that some factories are paying farmers for beef is 18% lower than their British counterparts which is “unsustainable” and is forcing farmers out of the industry.
That is the view of MEP hopeful Jason Fitzgerald (FF). On Wednesday, December 12, farmers from Duhallow are expected to attend the first Munster meeting of beef farmers which will be held at Kanturk Mart.
Eamon Corely, who is one of the founders of the Beef Plan initiative, which currently claims 10,000 members, will address the meeting. The Beef Plan is for both beef and dairy farmers and aims to unite 40,000 farmers in a bid to negotiate better beef prices for their members.
According to Mr Fitzgerald, the government has “played up the fact” that Irish agricultural exports has increased by 70% since 2009 – but, he said, farmers have seen “little to no increase in farm gate prices throughout this period. “This must change,” he said.
It was his view that the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) has been inadequate to meet the consequences of a cheap food policy.
“The prices farmers are receiving for livestock in marts and meat factories across the country is not sustainable, especially this year,” he said.
He said when Ireland joined the EEC in 1973, farmers received 75% of what the consumer paid for the finished product. Today, farmers only receive 21-26% of what the consumer pays.
“The difference is shared between the processors receiving approximately 28% and the retailers receiving up to 50%. The cheap food policy of the EU no longer protects the interests of farmers,” he said.
The meeting on Wednesday, December 12 will take place at 8pm. THE Fianna Fail TD for Cork East, Kevin O’Keeffe has called on Agriculture Minister Michael Creed to publish a list of factories that flaunt strict EU carcass trim rules.
Deputy O’Keeffe was commenting after it emerged that fines of €200 have been imposed on more than 20 factories this year for failing to comply with the regulations.
Trimming takes place in advance of a carcass being weighed, with farmers then paid on the basis of the posttrimmed weight.
The EU regulations specifically state that no fat, muscle or other tissue may be removed from the carcass before weighing, classifying and marking. Except for cases when veterinary requirements are applied.
However, Deputy O’Keeffe said the imposition of the fines on the factories have shown that farmers are being regularly “ripped off ” in the process.
“Understandably, farmers are angry following the revelation that 21 breaches of the carcass trim regulations have been uncovered so far this year,” he said.
“The factories that broke these regulations cost beef farmers money at a time when margins are already exceptionally tight. It’s no surprise that farmers are disillusioned and feel they are being ripped off ”.
Deputy O’Keeffe said farmers were also annoyed at the small penalty imposed on the factories that do flout the rules.
“It is unfair that when beef farmers are being hit so hard, these factories should escape with such meagre fines. Minister Creed should not only expose the factories that breach the rules by publishing their names but should also explain why they escape with such small fines when penalties of up to €5,000 can be imposed,” he said.
“My party has already indicated that it will be raising the issue with the Minister in the Dáil. Farmers need to know this information to enable them to seek full compensation for the payments owing to them.”
Deputy O’Keeffe’s sentiments have been echoed by IFA president Joe Healy, who said there was a responsibility on Minister Creed to release the names of the factories that have been fined.
Mr Healy said that farmers had long suspected the practise was going on, also calling on the fine to be increased to the €5,000 maximum and for factories that continue to break the rules to be prosecuted through the courts - with custodial sentences for repeat offenders.
“The IFA Livestock Committee has campaigned hard to get Minister Creed to introduce enhanced supervision of the trimming process in factories,” said Mr Healy.
“The time for slaps on the wrists has come and gone. We need a serious deterrent to ensure factories don’t rob farmers on the trim,” he added.