Not a cent on table from factories

GALWAY farm representatives have expressed ‘serious disappointment’ at the outcome of talks between the meat plants, the Minister for Agriculture and the main farming organisations.

Kevin O’Brien, Chairman of the Galway Beef Plan Movement, said that the outcome of the talks was shockingly disappointing with not a cent more being put on the table for beef farmers.

“There is a base survival price figure for beef farmers and that’s €4 per kg. for R3 steers. This is not a profit figure – it’s a minimum survival rate.

“We feel that at the very least, the Minister for Agriculture should have utilised the €1 billion Brexit fund to support this €4 price base at least until next February,” said Kevin O’Brien.

On Wednesday morning, the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, said that after long and detailed negotiations stakeholders had reached agreement on a wide range of significant issues. [See panel].

“Progress was made on important initiatives aimed at improving transparency along the supply chain and improving communication between the industry and farmers,” said the Minister.

However, Galway IFA Chairperson, Anne Mitchell, said that there was a real sense of disappointment that there was no indication whatsoever of any increase in the price of cattle at the meat plants, following the talks. For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app

The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City  and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.