As talks aimed at trying to settle one of the longest-running beef disputes in the history of the State dragged into the early hours of Sunday morning, all eyes were on the emerging leadership of both the Beef Plan Movement and Independent Farmers of Ireland.
The various individuals that have assumed leadership roles in these organisations have so far been in the luxurious position of harnessing support on the back of being able to tell people what they want to hear.
Leadership
But there comes a time when leadership is not about telling people what they want to hear but what they need to hear. The way in which those receiving this message respond is ultimately a reflection of the level of respect in which their leaders are held.
Here lies the greatest challenge for these emerging farm organisations and indeed their leaders.
Confidence
Do they have enough confidence in their own leadership to be able to take a deal back to the farmers on the gates of beef factories that will not deliver on all of their key demands?
We understand that the direction of travel has been towards splitting out Quality Assurance (QA) from the in-spec bonus. This would allow for a bonus to be paid on QA animals over 30 months of age.
Eoin Donnelly, negotiator of Beef Plan asking a question at the Beef Summit in Ballinasloe earlier this year. / David Ruffles
While it might seem a long way short of what needs to be done to return the sector to profitability, it should be recognised as a step forward. Of course it is only the first step in the development of a long-term plan that will deliver farmers a profitable return. But such a plan was never going to be developed over the course of a crisis meeting in Dublin.
Farmers on the gate
Where leaders doubt their ability to be able to influence those that they claim to lead, the easy thing to do is walk away from the negotiation table.
But where does this leave those on the gates and where does it leave the growing number of farmers that are under increased financial pressure to get animals slaughtered? There is no doubt that the next few hours of negotiations will reveal the level of leadership within Beef Plan and Independent Farmers.
Read more
Live story: beef talks roll on into Sunday
More Irish beef to be sent to UK for processing – Bord Bia
As talks aimed at trying to settle one of the longest-running beef disputes in the history of the State dragged into the early hours of Sunday morning, all eyes were on the emerging leadership of both the Beef Plan Movement and Independent Farmers of Ireland.
The various individuals that have assumed leadership roles in these organisations have so far been in the luxurious position of harnessing support on the back of being able to tell people what they want to hear.
Leadership
But there comes a time when leadership is not about telling people what they want to hear but what they need to hear. The way in which those receiving this message respond is ultimately a reflection of the level of respect in which their leaders are held.
Here lies the greatest challenge for these emerging farm organisations and indeed their leaders.
Confidence
Do they have enough confidence in their own leadership to be able to take a deal back to the farmers on the gates of beef factories that will not deliver on all of their key demands?
We understand that the direction of travel has been towards splitting out Quality Assurance (QA) from the in-spec bonus. This would allow for a bonus to be paid on QA animals over 30 months of age.
Eoin Donnelly, negotiator of Beef Plan asking a question at the Beef Summit in Ballinasloe earlier this year. / David Ruffles
While it might seem a long way short of what needs to be done to return the sector to profitability, it should be recognised as a step forward. Of course it is only the first step in the development of a long-term plan that will deliver farmers a profitable return. But such a plan was never going to be developed over the course of a crisis meeting in Dublin.
Farmers on the gate
Where leaders doubt their ability to be able to influence those that they claim to lead, the easy thing to do is walk away from the negotiation table.
But where does this leave those on the gates and where does it leave the growing number of farmers that are under increased financial pressure to get animals slaughtered? There is no doubt that the next few hours of negotiations will reveal the level of leadership within Beef Plan and Independent Farmers.
Read more
Live story: beef talks roll on into Sunday
More Irish beef to be sent to UK for processing – Bord Bia
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