The ICSA say this analysis is based on the premise that there has been no justification for severe price cuts given that retail prices for beef in Ireland’s biggest market – England - have actually increased over the same period.
The ICSA further state that:
The purchasing power of UK retailers has actually increased, as it now only requires 79 pence sterling to buy a euro worth of goods compared with 87p this time last year. Claims that Quality Assurance Schemes are benefiting farmers are untrue. It is now clear that lectures about how important the Quality Assurance Scheme is to the national interest need to be re-evaluated.The Irish government seems to have adapted a relaxed approach to what’s going on.The Government and EU need to intervene to monitor and regulate the retail chain for primary products such as meat.ICSA president Patrick Kent said: “Our analysis really means that it will not be possible for the Government to wash their hands any further when it comes to the rip- off of farmers. Apart from the loss to farmers, there are knock-on losses to local rural economies in every county in Ireland as farmers’ purchasing power declines substantially.”
Table A illustrates the increase in retail prices for the main beef cuts in England over the past twelve months notably the 14% increase for popular cuts such as mince, while even the more expensive cuts are holding their own or are marginally higher.
Beef Type |
26th July 2013 |
26th July 2014 |
% Change July 2013 – July 2014 |
Net % Change |
|
Average p/kg |
Average p/kg |
|
|
Braising Steak |
866 |
908 |
105% |
+5% |
Diced Stewing Steak |
840 |
901 |
107% |
+7% |
Fillet Steak |
3312 |
3312 |
100% |
0 |
Premium Mince |
711 |
753 |
106% |
+6% |
Rump Steak |
1501 |
1500 |
100% |
0 |
Sirloin Steak |
2087 |
2095 |
100% |
0 |
Standard Mince |
510 |
579 |
114% |
+14% |
Topside |
1022 |
1066 |
104% |
+4% |
The ICSA say this analysis is based on the premise that there has been no justification for severe price cuts given that retail prices for beef in Ireland’s biggest market – England - have actually increased over the same period.
The ICSA further state that:
The purchasing power of UK retailers has actually increased, as it now only requires 79 pence sterling to buy a euro worth of goods compared with 87p this time last year. Claims that Quality Assurance Schemes are benefiting farmers are untrue. It is now clear that lectures about how important the Quality Assurance Scheme is to the national interest need to be re-evaluated.The Irish government seems to have adapted a relaxed approach to what’s going on.The Government and EU need to intervene to monitor and regulate the retail chain for primary products such as meat.ICSA president Patrick Kent said: “Our analysis really means that it will not be possible for the Government to wash their hands any further when it comes to the rip- off of farmers. Apart from the loss to farmers, there are knock-on losses to local rural economies in every county in Ireland as farmers’ purchasing power declines substantially.”
Table A illustrates the increase in retail prices for the main beef cuts in England over the past twelve months notably the 14% increase for popular cuts such as mince, while even the more expensive cuts are holding their own or are marginally higher.
Beef Type |
26th July 2013 |
26th July 2014 |
% Change July 2013 – July 2014 |
Net % Change |
|
Average p/kg |
Average p/kg |
|
|
Braising Steak |
866 |
908 |
105% |
+5% |
Diced Stewing Steak |
840 |
901 |
107% |
+7% |
Fillet Steak |
3312 |
3312 |
100% |
0 |
Premium Mince |
711 |
753 |
106% |
+6% |
Rump Steak |
1501 |
1500 |
100% |
0 |
Sirloin Steak |
2087 |
2095 |
100% |
0 |
Standard Mince |
510 |
579 |
114% |
+14% |
Topside |
1022 |
1066 |
104% |
+4% |
SHARING OPTIONS: