Decision time has come for farm organisations and factories as crisis talks come to a head.
Talks have been ongoing since Saturday and the Irish Farmers Journal understands that the factories have offered to increase the Quality Assured bonus on cattle under 30 months from 12c/kg to 16c/kg.
However the farm organisations are demanding 20c/kg.
Over 30 months
The factories have offered a new bonus of 6c/kg for in-spec cattle aged over 30 months and under 36 months.
But the farm organisations are demanding this be increased to 12c/kg.
Some participants are warning this is a gulf that can't be bridged.
All sides are weary from lengthy negotiations and it’s thought that this could be make or break time in terms of reaching a resolution.
Other demands
A leaked document on social media also shows a number of other demands made by farm organisations.
The document entitled Irish Beef Sector Agreement, 15 September 2019, lists demands that include:
An immediate independent report of market and customer requirements is also called for and due before the end of the year.
A beef market task force will also be created if the agreement is signed off on.
If all parties agree, then beef protests and blockades must end immediately and all legal action instigated by factories against farmers at protests will also be dropped immediately.
You can follow live updates as decisions unfold by clicking here.
SHARING OPTIONS