Overnight negotiations between beef farmers and the meat-processing industry finished on a positive note, with the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) and Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney declaring substantial progress on a number of problematic points.
“I’m satisfied that this very comprehensive set of measures, agreed jointly between farmers and processors, represents the best possible outcome from the negotiations,” Minister Coveney said.
“I strongly believe that this is a response which the whole sector can get behind and support. It is time to move on from the difficult relationship which has characterised the sector over the last number of months and get back to focusing on a positive future.”
IFA president Eddie Downey said ground had been made on some points of contention, but that the association was “determined that prices must move on and that increased market returns are passed back to farmers”.
