The third day of beef talks were hailed by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed as a success. Following the pattern of last week and Monday, the talks extended deep into the night.

As Paul Mooney reports, they ended with agreement on changes in payments for 200,000 cattle.

Minister Creed initially met Meat Industry Ireland and then the six farm organisations individually - Beef Plan Movement, IFA, ICSA, ICMSA, INHFA and Macra - before convening a full meeting of all those stakeholders, along with ICOS, Bord Bia and Department officials.

Agreed

Following the meeting, Minister Creed itemised the issues that have been agreed between all sides. These include:

  • A review of the grid.
  • A further review of the in-spec criteria for the quality payment system bonus.
  • Availability of carcase images.
  • An appeals system for carcase classification in manually grading factories.
  • Publication of an expert report on new technology in mechanical carcase classification.
  • Promotional initiatives for the beef sector.
  • Market transparency initiatives, including more detailed price reporting, and the transposition of the EU Directive on Unfair Trading Practices.

    • “After long and detailed negotiations, stakeholders have reached agreement on a wide [range] of very significant issues" said the minister.

    "Progress was made on important initiatives aimed at improving transparency along the supply chain, and improving communication between industry and farmers.

    "I wish to thank Michael Dowling for his excellent work in chairing the talks and all of the participants for the constructive engagement throughout the process," he concluded.

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    Beef talks end with payment changes for 200,000 cattle