Farmers have been urged to lift pickets at factories and give the agreement struck at beef talks a chance by Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) president Colm O’Donnell.
O’Donnell said the beef protests had been instrumental in delivering the deal and highlighting the grievances of suckler and beef farmers to the public.
The protest had “for maybe the first time ever, given the meat processors cause for concern”.
O’Donnell believed everything agreed would be implemented on the back of an improving price.
He stated: “For this reason, it’s important that we don’t let the processors off the hook, which is why we need to lift the pickets and give this deal a chance.”
Change
O'Donnell said the deal would deliver a price increase through additional bonuses, but, more importantly, it had the potential to deliver significant structural change.
“While some farmers may believe the deal has not delivered enough, there are important elements, especially around the implementation of the deal and proposals around independent reviews that warrants it being given a chance,” O’Donnell said.
Among the agreed proposals is an 8c/kg bonus for steers and heifers between 30 and 36 months and an increase for steers and heifers in the current in-spec bonus from 12c/kg to 20c/kg.
Positives
Along with the improved bonuses, he felt there were several other positives:
The establishment of a beef market task force to ensure the commitments are implemented.An independent review of market and customer requirements.An independent examination of the price composition of the total value of the animal. Read more
Watch: Ballyjamesduff picket remains in place
Farmers to have final sign-off on beef agreement
Farmers have been urged to lift pickets at factories and give the agreement struck at beef talks a chance by Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) president Colm O’Donnell.
O’Donnell said the beef protests had been instrumental in delivering the deal and highlighting the grievances of suckler and beef farmers to the public.
The protest had “for maybe the first time ever, given the meat processors cause for concern”.
O’Donnell believed everything agreed would be implemented on the back of an improving price.
He stated: “For this reason, it’s important that we don’t let the processors off the hook, which is why we need to lift the pickets and give this deal a chance.”
Change
O'Donnell said the deal would deliver a price increase through additional bonuses, but, more importantly, it had the potential to deliver significant structural change.
“While some farmers may believe the deal has not delivered enough, there are important elements, especially around the implementation of the deal and proposals around independent reviews that warrants it being given a chance,” O’Donnell said.
Among the agreed proposals is an 8c/kg bonus for steers and heifers between 30 and 36 months and an increase for steers and heifers in the current in-spec bonus from 12c/kg to 20c/kg.
Positives
Along with the improved bonuses, he felt there were several other positives:
The establishment of a beef market task force to ensure the commitments are implemented.An independent review of market and customer requirements.An independent examination of the price composition of the total value of the animal. Read more
Watch: Ballyjamesduff picket remains in place
Farmers to have final sign-off on beef agreement
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