DEAR EDITOR,

It is about time that farmers benefit from the lucrative export trading of a very valuable commodity – offal. As primary producers, farmers deserve transparency and full disclosure of the breakdown of vast monetary gains derived off the backs of farmers.

CSO data also highlights the global demand for Irish offal. What the “middleman” stands to benefit is truly astonishing. This aspect of the beef trade is worthy of an investigation, to highlight the reality of how farmers are short-changed on each and every animal that they present fit for slaughter.

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Irish offal is in huge demand the world over and many customers are competing for our edible products, such as cheek meat, thick and thin skirt, tail, tongue, tripe, liver, kidneys, heart, lungs and head meat. It is obvious every part of the animal is saleable yet farmers give “the fifth quarter” away for free.

Beef producers are no longer prepared to be kept in the dark on all matters pertaining to their livelihoods. Perhaps, now is as good a time as any to expose this injustice and highlight the fact that beef finishers stand to lose up to €200 per animal this spring, despite the fact that beef is in short supply.

It is reported that the Chinese market is open for Irish hides. We can only imagine the value of this high-end raw material. It is no surprise that the Chinese want to resume trading with us, bluetongue or no bluetongue. A number of weeks ago China announced tariffs on beef imports. The report stated: “China wishes to support their own farmers and producers.” How about our offal exports? It seems patriotism doesn’t come into play here.