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Beef Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2019

Wednesday, 15 May 2019

Questions (234)

Michael Collins

Question:

234. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address matters relating to the beef roundtable (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21133/19]

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Written answers

A Quality Payment System (QPS) related to the beef grid was agreed between Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) in 2009. The payment is based on the classification of the carcass in which a price differential is set between certain classification grades.

My understanding is that any additional bonus payments and the conditions attached to qualification for such payments are determined by processors and their retail customers. There are a number of conditions which pertain to such payments and may include age limits and restrictions on the number of movements allowed. These are commercial arrangements and my Department has no role in their establishment, nor in collection or analysis of the payments which are made.

However, as I have previously stated, if relevant parties do wish to undertake a review of the grid, I have offered the services of Teagasc to provide any technical assistance in this regard.

The Beef Roundtable was most recently convened in October 2018 and the date for the next session will be announced in due course. I am satisfied that farmers are well represented by a variety of farming organisations at the Roundtable. Written submissions to my Department from any stakeholder representative body requesting participation in the Roundtable will be considered in that context.

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