Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 October 2015
92. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is opposed to meat factories imposing unviable carcass weight limits on beef farmers, which could damage our beef industry, particularly the suckler herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35074/15]
View answerThe November 2014 Beef Round table discussions resulted in a comprehensive agreed package of measures to further develop the beef sector and included commitments for all parties including processors, farm organisations, my Department and various state agencies. As part of that package, agreement was reached between MII and farming organisations that processors would not impose any price penalties on animals based on weight up to 31st December 2015, but equally that farmers presenting heavier stock would provide adequate notice to processing plants. While specifications of this nature are ultimately determined by market requirements, I would expect all of the participants at the Beef Round table to adhere to the agreement reached on weights.
