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Processors needs to be held to account for taking advantage of the drought situation, according to Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill.
Raising the issue in the Dáil on Thursday, Deputy Cahill said: “The factories and the way they’re treating farmers needs to questioned.”
Exploiting farmers in an unbelievable way
As many farmers are forced to offload stock due to grass shortages, Deputy Cahill said that factories were “exploiting farmers in an unbelievable way”.
“The way prices have dropped in the last few weeks is completely unwarranted,” he said.
The steer base price has reduced to €3.90/kg, while cow prices have fallen by 40c/kg.
The price of lamb is also reducing, with €12 per head removed off the value of a 20kg carcase in a little over 10 days.
Speaking in response to Deputy Cahill’s concerns, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said: “I think we need solidarity across the industry and any indication of a lack of that would be worrying.”
IFA livestock chair Angus Woods has called on the Minister to meet with factories to request them to stabilise the beef price to prevent undermining the market.
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