Grant Thornton market transparency studies commissioned by the Department of Agriculture were presented to the seventh sitting of the Beef Market Taskforce on Thursday.

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue described the draft completion of the studies as an important step towards improving visibility and trust in the supply chain.

Report updates

The first report, which details an overview of competition law as it relates to the beef sector in Ireland, is complete and will be published shortly.

The second report, which is an independent review of the market and customer requirements of Irish beef, is at an advanced draft stage and has been given to the taskforce for comment.

Report three analyses price composition along the supply chain and is at an advanced stage, with a draft due to be circulated to the taskforce for comment in January.

Minister McConalogue continued: “It is more important than ever that we all work together given the unique set of challenges currently faced by the sector.

“Continued strong and constructive engagement in the beef taskforce is key to meeting these challenges.”

Disappointment

Meanwhile, ICSA president Edmond Phelan has said he is extremely disappointed with the report on market and customer requirements of Irish beef.

“The report does not provide any evidence of independent measurement of consumer preferences in any market.

“Instead, we are asked to believe a limited overview of interviews with stakeholders, predominantly in the UK, who are scrambling to find varied dubious justifications for maintaining the 30 months and four residencies penalties.”

Phelan said the report states that the genesis of the 30-month rule comes from a panic 20 years ago about BSE.

“It now seems that some retailers are trying to justify the 30-month [rule] on the basis that finishing cattle earlier is supportive of the green agenda without the need to reduce the volume of cattle being slaughtered.”

The ICSA also asked for an update on when the food ombudsman would be set up.

Chinese market

Following Thursday's taskforce meeting, IFA president Tim Cullinan said protecting existing markets and creating opportunities for Irish beef to mitigate the impact of Brexit is essential.

While recognising the efforts to reopen the Chinese market, he said there must be a renewed focus on getting Irish beef back in, with China recording strong demand growth in the first half of the year.

Cullinan continued: “The acceptance of substandard imports of beef into the EU is completely at odds with the policies and direction European farmers are being pushed in the CAP discussions.

“These imports are taking vital shelf space that Irish beef will need in the EU marketplace to offset the impact of Brexit. This must be addressed as part of the support mechanism for Irish beef farmers post-Brexit.”

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