The Department of Agriculture has no role in the design or enforcement of the four-movement rule implemented by meat factories under the quality payment system (QPS).

The QPS is “a purely private arrangement” between Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).

Bonus

Under the QPS, introduced in 2009, a bonus is paid on cattle if they conform to certain specifications.

One such specification is a limit of four on the number of times an animal can move prior to slaughter.

In a parliamentary question, Michael Healy-Rae TD asked Minister Creed whether there were any plans to remove the four-movement rule.

Minister Creed stated that the QPS was introduced by agreement between MII and IFA and therefore his department had no role in its implementation.

MII has previously stated that the four-movement rule is based on the requirements of customers.

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No role for Department of Agriculture in four-movement rule

Minister Creed stated that the QPS was introduced by agreement between MII and IFA and therefore his Department had no role in its implementation.