IFA Livestock chair Declan Hanrahan said factories need to take a longer-term view on beef prices and reverse the recent price cuts they are attempting.
He said supplies of finished cattle are extremely tight, with numbers, based on Bord Bia projections and the strong live export trade, expected to be down almost 100,000 cattle for processing between now and year end.
Declan Hanrahan said beef production is also down in our key markets, the UK and the EU, and this supply-demand balance must be utilised to benefit Irish and EU beef producers.
Despite talking down the trade, factories are very concerned about supplies for the coming weeks and months, and are actively ringing around farmers in attempts to secure cattle for this period.
The IFA livestock chair said the UK and EU markets are the most important outlets for our beef and the biggest threat to Irish beef farmers and long-term viable beef prices are trade deals that give access to these markets to cheaper beef.
He said the UK is doing bilateral deals that gives more access for beef to its markets, the EU is in the process of trying to conclude the Mercosur trade deal with indications that discussions with Australia could be recommencing.
Hanrahan said any additional access for cheap beef to these markets would only serve to undermine our prices; it is vital our Government stand firm in rejecting any deals that provide more access to the EU market for beef.
He said beef prices in reality have only reached levels that reflect the actual production costs on farms and that reflect the quality of product we produce, and it is vital for the long-term viability and sustainability of suckler and beef farmers that they are retained.
“To deliver long term viable prices to suckler and beef farmers factories, Bord Bia and our Government have key roles to play. Factories can and must stand firm in the market place, beef supplies are tight, demand is strong and they must maximise the opportunity that exists to return higher beef prices to farmers supported by Bord Bia, highlighting the standards our beef is produced to,” Hanrahan said.
The Government must ensure the vital EU market for Irish beef is not undermined by allowing additional access for cheaper produce in trade deals that all too often trade off farmers for big industry.
IFA upcoming events calendar
Mon, 23 June – IFA president will represent COPA in meeting with Czeslaw Siekierski, president of the Agriculture Council of Ministers, in Luxembourg.
Wed, 25 June – IFA and Bord Gáis Energy Solar event will take place in Parteen, Co Clare, V94 YC6A at 7.30pm.Mon, 30 June – IFA will host the National Rural Safety Forum in the Irish Farm Centre.Tues, 15 July – IFA National Council will meet in the Irish Farm Centre.
IFA Livestock chair Declan Hanrahan said factories need to take a longer-term view on beef prices and reverse the recent price cuts they are attempting.
He said supplies of finished cattle are extremely tight, with numbers, based on Bord Bia projections and the strong live export trade, expected to be down almost 100,000 cattle for processing between now and year end.
Declan Hanrahan said beef production is also down in our key markets, the UK and the EU, and this supply-demand balance must be utilised to benefit Irish and EU beef producers.
Despite talking down the trade, factories are very concerned about supplies for the coming weeks and months, and are actively ringing around farmers in attempts to secure cattle for this period.
The IFA livestock chair said the UK and EU markets are the most important outlets for our beef and the biggest threat to Irish beef farmers and long-term viable beef prices are trade deals that give access to these markets to cheaper beef.
He said the UK is doing bilateral deals that gives more access for beef to its markets, the EU is in the process of trying to conclude the Mercosur trade deal with indications that discussions with Australia could be recommencing.
Hanrahan said any additional access for cheap beef to these markets would only serve to undermine our prices; it is vital our Government stand firm in rejecting any deals that provide more access to the EU market for beef.
He said beef prices in reality have only reached levels that reflect the actual production costs on farms and that reflect the quality of product we produce, and it is vital for the long-term viability and sustainability of suckler and beef farmers that they are retained.
“To deliver long term viable prices to suckler and beef farmers factories, Bord Bia and our Government have key roles to play. Factories can and must stand firm in the market place, beef supplies are tight, demand is strong and they must maximise the opportunity that exists to return higher beef prices to farmers supported by Bord Bia, highlighting the standards our beef is produced to,” Hanrahan said.
The Government must ensure the vital EU market for Irish beef is not undermined by allowing additional access for cheaper produce in trade deals that all too often trade off farmers for big industry.
IFA upcoming events calendar
Mon, 23 June – IFA president will represent COPA in meeting with Czeslaw Siekierski, president of the Agriculture Council of Ministers, in Luxembourg.
Wed, 25 June – IFA and Bord Gáis Energy Solar event will take place in Parteen, Co Clare, V94 YC6A at 7.30pm.Mon, 30 June – IFA will host the National Rural Safety Forum in the Irish Farm Centre.Tues, 15 July – IFA National Council will meet in the Irish Farm Centre. 
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