Talks between the Beef Plan Movement, factory representatives, other farm organisations and the Department of Agriculture are to take place today in Backweston, Co Kildare.

Following two weeks of farmer protests, the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed invited all parties involved in the beef sector to talks under an independent chairman.

Former Department of Agriculture secretary general Michael Dowling will take up that role and the meeting commences at 2pm Monday 12 August.

The Beef Plan agreed to suspend all factory pickets and Meat Industry Ireland (MII) agreed to suspend legal action to facilitate the talks.

Agenda

On the agenda is an overview of the meat market from Bord Bia followed by the Department outlining strategic challenges for the sector.

The Quality Payment System (QPS) and carcass classification, two areas where the Beef Plan has indicated it wants to see change, will then be discussed.

Market transparency is also on the list and this part of the talks will include a discussion on market observatories. The EU’s unfair trading practises directive and producer organisations will be debated too.

The final item on the agenda is future steps.

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