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Over 300 people attended the latest Beef Plan Movement meeting in Kanturk Mart on Wednesday 12 December and heard of opportunities for exporting beef to Asia.
Speaking at the event, Cary Languirand offered a sense of hope to the Beef Plan Movement, saying he has access to contracts to take 20 containers of beef a month to China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam.
The moves would be subject to an independent abattoir getting clearance from the importing countries.
Farmers are getting hammered every day
Resident in Ennis, Co Clare, for 25 years, the American said the company he represents, Hong Kong-based Gloricent International, was looking to take both prime beef cuts as well as offal into the Asian market.
He said: "Farmers are getting hammered every day. The prices have collapsed and I'm saying, I'm prepared to pay a fair price.
I'll pay you that price
"If you're telling me the price you need is €5.15/kg or €5.20/kg, Okay, I'll pay you that price, I'll sign a contract to that price, but you're going to guarantee me that the amount I need is delivered each month and the consistency is there."
A reduction in production of 10% was suggested by a few farmers present, while the issue of too many dairy calves also arose.
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