Farmers will be disappointed by the lack of progress made in the Beef Market Taskforce video conference last week.

While the then Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said he was “encouraged to hear of the progress on the market transparency studies by Grant Thornton”, the reality is that very little has happened to make a difference at farmer level.

Grant Thornton has kicked to touch on deadlines twice now on reports due. The first delay was due to unforeseen difficulty in attaining information from stakeholders, while the second delay was due to COVID-19.

The three Grant Thornton reports on competition within the sector, market requirements and an analysis of the total value of the animal along the supply chain are likely to yield very little, with processors citing “commercial sensitivity” as a way to hold back the data that is needed to assess the industry problems.

IFA president Tim Cullinan was forthright, saying: “The minister must be strong and bluntly tell the factories and the retailers that they must fully cooperate and provide the necessary information on price and margin.”

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the PGI and grass-fed standard generated some heated debate among the farm organisations.

Consult

The chair concluded that Bord Bia must go back and re-engage and consult further with the stakeholders on both initiatives. Now, there will be pressure on the new Minister for Agriculture Barry Cowen to make some real progress with the taskforce.

A key delivery for the livestock sector would be to get a detailed and accurate report showing the price points and margins along the supply chain.