Minister Michael Creed has asked Bord Bia to conduct a detailed examination of beef market dynamics as farmers called for increased price transparency.

The Minister made the announcement as he chaired the 12th beef forum, which took place without farmer representation, with the IFA protesting outside.

Speaking at the protest, Angus Wood chair of the IFA livestock committee said: “There is zero transparency when the beef leaves our farm gate.”

Woods said everyone knows exactly how much farmers get paid for their beef, but no one knew how much processors make or what retailers are doing.

“That information has to be delivered and it is a real area that the minister could deliver on,” Woods said.

At the forum, Minister Creed said the “detailed examination of market dynamics” was with the cooperation of the industry and took into account the sales of particular cuts into particular segments of the market.

Interdependence

He also said during challenging times it was important for stakeholders to recognise their interdependence.

Creed said: “I urged processors to engage positively with their farmer suppliers to build the sustainability of the sector as a whole and to ensure a reasonable return for the farmers upon whom the sector relies for its development.

"The farmer position in the supply chain must be secured if we are to build a sector for the future.”

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Farmers and Minister cite need for increased beef price transparency

As the IFA protested outside the beef forum, Minister Creed asked Bord Bia to conduct an examination of market dynamics.