The fourth meeting of the beef taskforce will take place in late September via video conference, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue announced on Thursday morning.
Key points for discussion at the meeting will include the draft application for PGI status for Irish grass-fed beef and progress on the market transparency studies currently being conducted by Grant Thornton.
Minister McConalogue said: “I have had constructive engagements with both beef farming and industry stakeholders since taking office and I am well aware of the crucial role that the beef sector plays in the rural economy.
“The taskforce, chaired by Michael Dowling, provides a forum for detailed engagement on key issues facing the beef sector and is particularly important in progressing the commitments made by all stakeholders in the beef sector agreement a year ago.’’
Previous meeting
The last meeting of the beef taskforce took place in June and saw delays from Grant Thornton on report deadlines.
The first delay was due to unforeseen difficulty in obtaining information from stakeholders, while the second delay was due to COVID-19.
The three Grant Thornton reports on competition within the sector, market requirements and an analysis of the total value of the animal along the supply chain are likely to yield very little, with processors citing “commercial sensitivity” as a way to hold back the data that is needed to assess the industry problems.
Beef taskforce trundles onwards
Beef taskforce: Grant Thornton cites 'unanticipated challenges'