Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
1231. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department examined, and if he has a view on, requiring meat processors to report wholesale prices and stocks twice daily across all beef cuts sold, as is the regime in the USA. [36691/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the price reporting in the USA referred to by the Deputy. However, I believe that the most effective and appropriate method to increase supply chain transparency is through a co-ordinated European wide basis. In late 2016 the EU Council, when agreeing conclusions on strengthening farmers’ position in the food supply chain and tackling unfair trading practices, noted the option of a regulatory approach at EU level. The Council called on the Commission to undertake an impact assessment with a view to the option of an EU legislative framework. I understand this assessment is to be published shortly.
A number of steps have been taken at national level to strengthen the position of the farmer in the food supply chain, including the recognition of Producer Organisations and the introduction of a scheme to assist members of Producer Organisations to engage facilitators to assist them in their establishment and effective functioning.
Another step in giving farmers more information in relation to the market place and assisting farmers’ bargaining powers has been the development of a Beef PriceWatch app by my Department. This app allows farmers to compare reported prices across a range of grades and factories to assist them in selling their cattle. With the introduction of the price watch app Ireland is now one of the most transparent countries in the EU. My Department also publishes data on slaughter and price on its website on a weekly basis.
