Macra na Feirme has called on Bord Bia to recognise the importance of bull beef and create a “low-carbon standard” and brand.

Macra president Thomas Duffy said: “Ireland trades on its high-quality grass-fed beef, but [it’s] not just beef competing for consumers. If we want to protect the suckler cow we need to compete on the under 16-month bull beef product she can produce.

“We are also competing with other countries pork, chicken and now fake meats, all of which are trading on their lower-carbon impact. The Agri-Food Strategy 2030 has raised the potential for market differentiation.”

PGI for both

Macra met with Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture ahead of today’s Beef Taskforce meeting to progress its objective of securing a differential in the market.

Regarding the PGI on grass-fed Irish beef, Macra raised concerns around potentially creating a two-tiered system for beef producers.

This can’t be allowed to become a false divide in the sector, they should both benefit from any PGI

Duffy continued: “The suckler cow needs support but we have to be clear to recognise the calf rearer as a beef farmer and not set them against each other, plenty of farmers have both.

“This can’t be allowed to become a false divide in the sector, they should both benefit from any PGI.”

Macra’s pre-budget submission on allowing farmers to reclaim VAT on sexed semen is reported to have been warmly welcomed by the Minister for Agriculture and junior ministers in the Department.

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