Decision time has come for farm organisations and factories as crisis talks come to a head.

Talks have been ongoing since Saturday and the Irish Farmers Journal understands that the factories have offered to increase the Quality Assured bonus on cattle under 30 months from 12c/kg to 16c/kg.

However the farm organisations are demanding 20c/kg.

Over 30 months

The factories have offered a new bonus of 6c/kg for in-spec cattle aged over 30 months and under 36 months.

But the farm organisations are demanding this be increased to 12c/kg.

Some participants are warning this is a gulf that can't be bridged.

All sides are weary from lengthy negotiations and it’s thought that this could be make or break time in terms of reaching a resolution.

Other demands

A leaked document on social media also shows a number of other demands made by farm organisations.

The document entitled Irish Beef Sector Agreement, 15 September 2019, lists demands that include:

  • An immediate increase of two-thirds in the current in-spec bonus for steers and heifers from 12c/kg to 20c/kg.
  • The introduction of a new in-spec bonus of 12c/kg for steers and heifers under 30 months in the categories of grade O- and fat score 4+, which currently do not qualify for any bonus.
  • An immediate review of the grid by Teagasc.
  • An immediate independent report of market and customer requirements is also called for and due before the end of the year.

    A beef market task force will also be created if the agreement is signed off on.

    If all parties agree, then beef protests and blockades must end immediately and all legal action instigated by factories against farmers at protests will also be dropped immediately.

    You can follow live updates as decisions unfold by clicking here.

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