Changes to the criteria for the in-spec bonus will benefit the feedlots most and do nothing to improve the lot of suckler farmers, ICSA president Edmond Phelan has said.
The in-spec bonus has been widened to include 4+ fat scores and O- conformation grades.
Phelan said he was disappointed that there will be no additional money put in the pockets of farmers producing top-quality cattle as a result of the beef talks.
“Our hands were tied regarding price from the outset. We could negotiate, but not on price, and when price is the only thing that really matters, that was problematic.”
Phelan said the agreements that had been reached would not have the impact required to make the difference needed. Efforts would now move to the review of the grid which is scheduled to be completed by the end of September, he said.
Grid review
“The priority must be to reconfigure the grid in such a way that it gives better bonuses to U and R+ grades without further deductions on lower grade cattle.”
Commitments on improving market transparency must proceed with haste according to Phelan.
“The promised transposition of the EU Directive on Unfair Trading Practices is an important step on the road in curtailing the greedy practices and excessive profiteering at retail level.
“However, we need to follow this with legislation to audit the whole retail chain and discern whether there is a fair share of margins allocated to all parts of the chain.”
Read more
Golden opportunity for fairness missed at beef talks – Beef Plan
Factories and retailers will grab more for themselves - ICMSA
Factory concessions at beef talks are ‘baby steps’ – ICOS
Changes to the criteria for the in-spec bonus will benefit the feedlots most and do nothing to improve the lot of suckler farmers, ICSA president Edmond Phelan has said.
The in-spec bonus has been widened to include 4+ fat scores and O- conformation grades.
Phelan said he was disappointed that there will be no additional money put in the pockets of farmers producing top-quality cattle as a result of the beef talks.
“Our hands were tied regarding price from the outset. We could negotiate, but not on price, and when price is the only thing that really matters, that was problematic.”
Phelan said the agreements that had been reached would not have the impact required to make the difference needed. Efforts would now move to the review of the grid which is scheduled to be completed by the end of September, he said.
Grid review
“The priority must be to reconfigure the grid in such a way that it gives better bonuses to U and R+ grades without further deductions on lower grade cattle.”
Commitments on improving market transparency must proceed with haste according to Phelan.
“The promised transposition of the EU Directive on Unfair Trading Practices is an important step on the road in curtailing the greedy practices and excessive profiteering at retail level.
“However, we need to follow this with legislation to audit the whole retail chain and discern whether there is a fair share of margins allocated to all parts of the chain.”
Read more
Golden opportunity for fairness missed at beef talks – Beef Plan
Factories and retailers will grab more for themselves - ICMSA
Factory concessions at beef talks are ‘baby steps’ – ICOS
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