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Agriculture Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021

Thursday, 20 May 2021

Questions (49)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

49. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the ongoing imposition of the four movement and 30-month rules by meat factories on primary producers; and the steps he will take to address such to ensure that farmers can receive a fair price for their produce. [26926/21]

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Written answers

In-spec bonus payments are made in respect of cattle which meet certain market specifications demanded by trade customers. The 30-month age and four movement specification to which you refer are examples of this. They are specifications for the payment of a bonus. Such specifications are entirely a commercial matter and are not conditions imposed by the Department.

Additionally, it should be noted that certain third countries have imposed a 30-month age limit in respect of beef imports, and this will be specified in the veterinary health certificate which will accompany beef exports to those countries.

In September 2019, consensus was reached between stakeholders on the Irish Beef Sector Agreement.

Two elements of this relate to the specifications cited:

- the introduction of a new bonus of 8c/kg for steers and heifers aged between 30 to 36 months, which meet all non-age related existing in-spec criteria, and which previously did not receive any bonus;

- an independent review of market and customer requirements, specifically in relation to the four in-spec bonus criteria currently in operation in the Irish beef sector.

The details of this agreement are publicly available on the Gov.ie website.

The report by Grant Thornton titled 'An Independent Review of Market and Customer Requirements of Irish Beef' is now complete and also available on the Gov.ie website. The report concluded that there is significant variance in demand for the in-spec bonus criteria amongst customers. There is strong market demand for quality assured animals and animals under 30 months. Although the market requirement for a maximum number of residencies and minimum period on the last farm is not as strong, it is still a requirement of some key customers. In summary, while all the requirements are not required by all of the customers, they are reflective of the requirements in the market place.

As the Deputy will be aware, there is a commitment in the Programme for Government for the establishment of a new authority called the National Food Ombudsman (NFO) or similar to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive. A public consultation on the primary legislation needed to establish the new Office of a National Food Ombudsman or Regulator is open until 26th May 2021. All submissions under this process are welcome and will be considered.

I am committed to delivering an office that will bring much-needed transparency to our sector that will ultimately help our farmers and primary producers.

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