Minister Calls For Greater Flexibility In Beef Industry

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has called for greater cooperation and flexibility between beef farmers and processors.

The Minister made the comments following a meeting with representatives of the beef processing industry over ongoing issues in the sector. Minister Coveney had also met with the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) and retailers.

"I called on processors to show further flexibility on weight specifications and I am pleased to say that they have now indicated that they are open to that," he said. "While matters such as price and commercial specifications are ultimately issues for the operators in the marketplace, there is a clear need at this stage for some confidence building measures for beef farmers. Some additional assurance on the weight specifications issue would certainly be a useful contribution to that objective."

The Minister also referred to the Dowling Report, which he commissioned in April 2014. The report made a number of recommendations, including in relation to improved price transparency and better communications with farmers, the increased use of supply contracts and the development of price comparators to benchmark Irish prices against those in other countries.

"I have been advised that processors are close to finalising a comprehensive response to the Dowling Report," he said. "I have asked that they complete their work as quickly as possible and that they address all of the issues raised. I await its publication and hope that it can make a meaningful contribution to improving the critically important relationship with suppliers and to the sustainable development of the sector in the future."

(IT/CD)