Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
55. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the beef task force; and his views on criticisms from farming organisations on its slow pace and lack of engagement with farmers. [33600/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Beef Taskforce established as part of the Beef Sector Agreement of September 2019 provides a forum for detailed engagement on key issues facing the beef sector.
It is particularly important in progressing the commitments made by all stakeholders in the Beef Sector Agreement. It is independently chaired, and includes representatives from a range of stakeholders, including farm organisations, the meat industry, and my Department and its agencies.
The Beef Taskforce offers a suitable platform for strategic engagement by stakeholders on the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. There have been four meetings of the Taskforce this year to date; given the current challenges of Covid-19, three of these have been by necessity virtual meetings.
While there have necessarily been some delays to the work of the TaskForce arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, work has progressed on all relevant actions. For instance, I am pleased that the TaskForce recently reached agreement in principle to support the PGI application for 'Irish Grass Fed Beef', and to support a Bord Bia proposal for a programme of Suckler Beef promotion and the development of a brand proposition for Irish Suckler Beef.
With regard to engagement with farmers, membership of the Taskforce includes 6 farming organisations with 2 representatives each; this comprises the majority of the Taskforce membership. It is the role of these organisations to represent their membership.
In addition, information relating to the work of the Beef Taskforce, including the full text of the agreement of 15 September 2019, the Terms of Reference for the Taskforce and updates on actions arising out of the agreement to date are publicly available on my Department’s website: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/beef/beeftaskforce/.
