Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has told the Dáil that he wished that there was an environment for the Beef Market Taskforce to convene for talks tomorrow.

“I share the wish of the house that the taskforce would convene to progress in talks,” said Minister Michael Creed in the Dáil on Wednesday.

“I wish we had the environment where the taskforce could reconvene tomorrow, there are issues that are making the environment hard," he said in response to a question by Sinn Féin agriculture spokesperson Brian Stanley.

When questioned about the steps that have been taken towards the agreements reached with farmers, Minister Creed outlined a number of reports that have been and are due to be released before the end of December including Bord Bia’s Beef price Index and a scientific review by Teagasc.

I do agree that the company involved needs to see the bigger picture

A number of initiatives have been put to tender, with a deadline of 12pm on Thursday 5 December which means that the tenders will be chosen before the end of December. These include an independent review of animal in supply chain, a review of the mechanical carcase classification and an unfair trading practices directive.

Toxic

It was acknowledged that relations are “toxic” between farmers and processors, and the Minister has said that his Department is doing everything it can to progress the commitments made. “I hope that the taskforce can go round the table at earliest possible convenience.”

In reference to the injunctions that have not yet been lifted from two farmers who were involved with the factory protests this summer, he said: “I do agree that the company involved needs to see the bigger picture. I agree, we need to meet.”