Income Crisis in Beef Sector Must Be Addressed at Beef Talks – Healy

Speaking on his way into day two of the beef talks, IFA President Joe Healy said with Brexit just 73 days away, support is urgently required for beef farmers who are in the middle of an income crisis.

Joe Healy said he would be seeking a strong commitment from the meeting that the Irish Government will tackle the issue of sub-standard imports into the EU market from third countries.  “Imports which do not meet the same stringent standards as EU producers must be banned,” he said.

The IFA President said greater transparency is needed in the food chain to deliver a fair price back to farmers. “An accurate price index is essential to arm farmers with key market information and allow them to pursue the full value of their stock”, he said.

Joe Healy said IFA will also make a strong case for a fully funded CAP and protect its share of the EU Budget, and ensure that the current level of direct payments to Irish beef farmers is protected.