Macra na Feirme has done a U-turn on its decision to attend the Beef Forum this week. The organisation announced that it will not be there after the IFA said it would hold a protest outside. The ICSA and ICMSA said on Monday that they would not be attending "in solidarity" with the farmers protesting.

This means that there will not be any farm organisations seated around the table for the 13th Beef Forum which is chaired by the Minister for Agriculture.

The Beef Forum provides the best platform

Yet, Macra called for the Beef Forum to be restored as soon as possible, with monthly meetings and a stated goal of developing a strategic plan for the beef sector.

"For our members to have confidence that they have a sustainable career in beef farming, there must be a coherent plan with buy-in from all stakeholders in the sector," said Macra president James Healy.

"This can only be achieved by dialogue and I believe the Beef Forum provides the best platform to achieve this.”

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