Representatives from the meat trade in NI have written to the Agri-Food Strategy Board asking them to conduct a thorough analysis of direct and indirect market support measures available to farmers throughout Europe.

Their main issue arises from the fact that beef prices in Northern Ireland have been the second highest in Europe in recent times, and only headed by prices in Britain, yet farmers here complain that they are unable to return a profit. At the same time, farmers in Europe, who are receiving around £150 per head less, have been largely silent when it comes to price.

With the beef trade on the continent lagging behind local prices, it has made life difficult for local processors trying to sell beef cuts into the European market and impossible to maximise the returns potentially available for a carcase.

“We have long suspected that there are additional direct and indirect subsidies available in other member states.’’