The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) is set to lead a protest of farmers outside the beef forum taking place next week, according to the Irish Independent.
IFA President Joe Healy confirmed that the group will not participate in the forum after the group has “tried to constructively engage at the Beef Forum which is presided over by Agriculture Minister Michael Creed, but nothing has been delivered”.
"Our patience has run out and we need real action and delivery by the Minister to address the disastrous situation for farmers in the livestock sector,” he said.
'Raging'
He said that Minister Creed has focused on the growth in exports but has failed to highlight that it has been built on the back of loss-making beef prices on farms.
He said that the Minister has “refused to tackle the meat processors and has continually talked down the prospects of an increased payment for suckler cows”.
“Beef farmers are sick of it and they want to see some positive action from the Minister,” he said.
“Cattle farmers are raging with the way Minister Creed has allowed the factories to run amok with systematic cattle price cuts, inflicting severe losses on farmers, who are on their knees financially”.
The Irish Independent said that the move comes as the Department of Agriculture and Bord Bia are due to lead a trade mission to Indonesia in the coming weeks.
© 2018 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
