May 04, 2010

ICMSA say farmers should insist on option to sell cattle 'off' beef grid

In light of the fact that Meat Industry Ireland admitted on 10 March 2010 to the Dail Committee for Agriculture and Food that between 20-30 percent of cattle were being sold off the grid before that date, all farmers should now insist that they too have the option to sell their cattle off the grid according to Mr. Kevin Connolly, Chairpersons of ICMSA's Beef and Cattle Committee.

"The vast majority of farmers are totally dissatisfied with the new grid system because they know themselves that they are losing money under the system. They don't need independent reports to tell them this, the system is designed to confuse, is less transparent and the reality is that farmers today do not know the price for their cattle when they leave their yard which is simply not acceptable.   In addition, meat plant agents are unable to tell the farmer with any accuracy what grid box his/her cattle are likely to fit into. If meat factory agents experienced in procuring cattle on a daily basis cannot tell the farmer this, how is the farmer expected to know this?" asked Mr Connolly.   

"The system is too complicated, it's unworkable and the penalties are too heavy.    The system should now either be reviewed or scrapped, said Mr. Connolly.    Farmers are voting with their feet on this one and unless the industry wake up and start listening to farmers on the ground, they will find very very quickly their supply of cattle diminished which is in nobody's interest", continued the Beef Chairman .

"While Meat Industry Ireland may claim that the system is voluntary to the Dail Committee, the reality for farmers is that they are being forced to sell their cattle on a grid system since last December which they do not want to do.   However, it is now quite clear that many farmers are succeeding in selling their cattle outside the grid without the substantial penalties. Given this, all farmers should now be pressurising their meat plant to either sell off the grid and or alternatively, that the meat plants revise the grid substantially so that it is simpler and the penalties are less severe" concluded Mr. Connolly.  

Ends.         4 May 2010.

Kevin Connolly, 087-9381173

Chairman, ICMSA Beef & Cattle Committee

Or

Cathal MacCarthy, 087-6168758

ICMSA Press Office 

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