Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
61. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will carry out a comprehensive analysis of the impact of factory owned feedlots on the beef sector including their effect on prices and the environment as a result of record kills in such facilities in 2021. [50713/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to clarify that there is no legal definition of a feedlot herd. The Deputy may be referring to Controlled Finishing Units. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) defines certain herds as Controlled Finishing Units (CFUs) in the context of the Bovine TB Eradication Programme.
This definition is unique to that programme and does not necessarily mirror the use of the term "feedlot" by the public and/or other institutions. CFUs are subject to enhanced biosecurity measures as part of the TB Programme and can only sell direct to slaughter.
The Department is the designated authority for price reporting to the EU (under EU 2017/1185) and currently reports on prices in the following areas: beef, sheep meat, pig meat, poultry, eggs, butter, skimmed milk and cheese.
In this context, DAFM receives price data from factories with slaughter levels over a specific threshold. Based on this data DAFM reports the average price for different categories per week to the EU which in turn publishes Members States data as part of the Market Observatory. Price reporting carried out by my Department does not currently include separate assessment in respect of Controlled Finishing Units.
I have acknowledged the importance of transparency in the market for primary producers and my Department is progressing several initiatives to increase transparency.
Central to my commitment to transparency is the establishment of a new Office of the National Food Ombudsman or equivalent. As the Deputy will be aware, the Department and Bord Bia already publish a wide range of price and comparative market data on a weekly basis.
I am committed to progressing this office as a matter of urgency to bring much-needed transparency to the sector.
