Meat processors had the opportunity to come to the negotiation table on Monday with proposals that could have allowed farmers step back from the factory gates. However, they decided to shut down the industry in a calculated move aimed at turning farmer against farmer.

Processors are well aware of the financial stress mounting on farmers trying to sell stock. But rather than try to help these farmers by de-escalating the problem, the decision was taken to use them as pawns in the battle to force an end to the ongoing dispute.

Unfortunately, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed appears to be either unwilling or unable to call the processors to task. This is despite the extent to which these same processors benefit hugely from ongoing investment by the State and the Department of Agriculture in the maintenance and development of new markets for beef products.

Clearly the minister has power over the processors should he wish to use it. But so far he appears to have positioned himself almost as an independent observer in negotiations. He now needs to put himself centre stage to bring the chaos that has engulfed the industry for almost seven weeks to an end. If this does not happen, an increasing number of farmers who need to get cattle slaughtered will go out of business.

The time for inviting meat processors to sit down around the negotiating table has passed. It is time for the minister to not only demand their attendance but also that they bring solutions to the table.

Those who remain at the factory gates want to see solid commitments on key issues before standing down. It is an understandable request given the extent to which these farmers feel they have suffered from years of inaction by the Government and indeed the meat industry.

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed. \ Philip Doyle

One of these key issues is the fact that no animal slaughtered over 30 months receives a bonus payment. At one level, it is easy to take a position that all steers and heifers should be finished under 30 months. But the reality is that there are farmers who operate a low-input, low-output system, almost 100% based on grass and grass silage. Where these farmers are part of the Bord Bia QA scheme, there is a legitimate claim that they should not be excluded from any bonus based on age at slaughter.

Factories should commit to separating any QA bonus from the in-spec bonus. This would allow a payment on all QA stock, regardless of age and movements, yet still allow factories pay farmers an added bonus for animals that meet additional market specifications.

Price is another issue. We now know that the IFA has received assurances from the CCPC that it can be discussed. This week, Phelim O’Neill reviews beef prices across the EU. There is clearly some scope, albeit below the aspirations of some farmers on the gate, for upward movement on price.

There is also an onus on the minister not to come to the table empty-handed. He has to recognise that the economic viability of beef production has been eroded by a sharp reduction in support payments.

Farmers need a commitment that Budget 2020, to be announced in just a few weeks, will reflect the income crisis on beef farms. There is also scope for the minister to commit to maximising farmers’ ability to draw down support under the BEAM scheme by removing the requirement to reduce organic nitrogen by 5%. As Barry Cassidy reports, less than 50% of farmers have applied.

Both are small asks of the minister and indeed the meat industry. But they are merely a prelude to allowing detailed negotiations take place on the development of a long-term plan.

Protests have been running since seven weeks ago.. \ Patrick Browne

The recent protests have put farmers in one of the strongest positions for many years to actually shape this plan from the ground up. They have put the problems in the beef sector centre stage around the Cabinet table. In an interview with the Irish Farmers Journal, An Tánaiste Simon Coveney said the Government was open to the introduction of a beef regulator. It is a statement that signifies the extent to which Government is finally prepared to act.

Those on the gates should ask what their objective was. If it was to create a platform for meaningful change, then they have succeeded. They have not only created an opportunity to demand transparency around price and carcase specifications but also to force Government into action on a funding model that recognises the role of beef production in supporting the rural economy. But it is an opportunity that will only be seized upon through negotiations, not by continuing to stand at factory gates, which will do untold damage to fellow farmers.

With strong leadership on all sides, there is clearly scope to quickly get the sector back in operation and relieve the financial pressure on farmers. But the ball is now firmly in both the minister’s and meat processors’ court.

As we went to press, the minister was due to sit down with MII and the various farm organisations to try to reignite talks. Movement in the direction outlined above should be immediate in order to give farm organisations something to go back and offer those on the gates immediately.

If delivered, farmers need to seize the opportunity that they have created by standing back from the gate and allowing structured talks to take place around the development of a plan that creates a viable future for farmers.

Farmers cannot afford to lose this opportunity that they have created for themselves.

European Commission: Hogan takes on trade portfolio as agriculture goes to Poland

As we report, Phil Hogan will move from the agriculture portfolio to trade when the new European Commission takes office on 1 November. His replacement in agriculture will be Poland’s Janusz Wojciechowski, a former MEP and current member of the European Court of Auditors.

Although Hogan has left agriculture, his role as trade commissioner and central involvement in future trade deals means he will retain a direct involvement with the sector. The portfolio also means he will be the chief negotiator on behalf of the EU27 in trade negotiations with the UK post-Brexit. Having served as a rural TD and with five years’ experience as Commissioner for Agriculture, he will bring a unique understanding of the agri-food sector to these negotiations.

His successor will bring an eastern European flavour when applying finishing touches to Hogan’s CAP proposals. His background in the Polish farmers’ party means he will have an appreciation of farmer and rural needs. His challenge will be to park national interest and work for farmer interests across the EU27.

The Irish farm lobby in Brussels has a key role here.

Forestry: balanced planting programme needed

The Socio-Economic Impact of Forestry in Co Leitrim report is a comprehensive assessment. Why Leitrim has been singled out is due mainly to the increase in afforestation and the opposition this has created. There are many positives in the report, which values the annual economic activity at €26.5m and supports 310 jobs.

It was outside the remit of the UCD study to examine why there is a major geographical imbalance of afforestation in Ireland but this needs to be addressed. Afforestation is now largely concentrated in Leitrim and surrounding counties while there has been a dramatic decline in Munster.

The restoration of a geographically balanced afforestation programme is essential if Ireland is to achieve the 8,000ha annual afforestation target in the Climate Change Action Plan.