IFA Says Race to Bottom Must Stop, Beef Prices Must Rise
IRELAND - Speaking at the Beef Taskforce meeting in Dublin yesterday, IFA President Joe Healy told the main retailers that the unsustainable discounting of top-quality beef was a race to the bottom that has to stop.He said beef prices cannot continue at current loss-making levels at farm level and must be increased.
"Retailers and factories, who work together, must pass back higher market returns with a significant and immediate price rise to farmers," Mr Healy said.
Mr Healy said retailers outlined details of their specifications, which in general are a lot less onerous than those applied by the factories.
He said the Taskforce has hired international consultants Grant Thornton to undertake a full and independent review of market and customer requirements, specifically in relation to the four in-spec bonus criteria currently in operation. The retailers indicated they will cooperate fully with this exercise.
TheCattleSite News Desk