A standoff between the IFA and beef processors has developed in the wake of the 24-hour nationwide beef factory lockdown implemented by the farm group this week.

Processors reacted angrily to the action, condemning it as “disruptive and counterproductive”. Nevertheless, the appetite among farmers for further and more prolonged action is growing.

IFA president Eddie Downey said: “Farmers are very determined that beef prices at the factories must rise to fairly reflect the very strong increase in the British market.” He warned that meat factories must address the huge €350/head price gap that has opened up.

While Meat Industry Ireland (MII) described the IFA comparison between British and Irish prices as “over-simplistic, inappropriate and misleading”, there are signs that some independent factories have started to increase base quotes in recent days.

As we went to press, both parties were attending the third beef roundtable meeting chaired by Minster for Agriculture Simon Coveney. The minister is under increasing pressure from the IFA to introduce measures that will deliver greater competition and transparency in the beef sector. Two customers for Irish beef, Tesco and McDonald’s, addressed the meeting.

Meanwhile the Irish Farmers Journal understands ABP has offered winter finishers prices for a six-month period beginning in December. The proposed mechanism includes a 6c/kg premium above the Average Based Grade (ABG) reported in the Irish Farmers Journal, plus the 12c/kg in-spec bonus. A minimum base price of €3.90-€3.95/kg for steers and heifers is also being guaranteed.