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The Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue opened the fourth meeting of the Beef Taskforce on Wednesday, held via video conference.
The agenda for latest meeting of the taskforce chaired by Michael Dowling, included the draft application for PGI status for Irish grass-fed beef and progress on the market transparency studies being conducted by Grant Thornton.
Members were also briefed on the current market situation and the role of beef producer organisations in the sector.
Ongoing challenges
Minister McConalogue said: “Constructive and meaningful engagement across this group is essential to maintaining the sector in this difficult time, and developing in a sustainable way which adds value at all stages of the supply chain, but particularly for the primary producer.”
The Beef Taskforce was established on foot of the agreement of 15 September 2019 and is charged with monitoring the implementation of the actions under the agreement.
Minister McConalogue reflected on the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic for the sector, as well as the threat posed by the possibility of a no-deal Brexit.
Concluding, the Minister said: “I believe that we can collectively rise to the many challenges facing us. I look forward to seeing continuous, strong engagement from this group as its work progresses.”
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