27/03/2014

Govt 'Must Act' To Protect Beef Prices

The government must take urgent measures to prevent the collapse of beef prices, Sinn Féin's spokesperson on rural development Trevor Ó Clochartaigh has said.

"The current pricing situation is damaging the Irish farming industry," Senator Ó Clochartaigh commented.

He added: "The collapse in beef prices over the past few months has been led by the factories and has caused hardship and desperation for farmers.

The senator said that is was now clear that the government needed to appoint a regulator for the beef industry.

"Beef processors are too powerful. Farm organisations have been pointing this out for some time but the current crisis has brought the issue to a head.

"We need an independent regulator with the power to impose a code of practise that also has real powers of investigation.

"I would urge Minister Coveney to work towards that end in co-operation with the British ministry and with the one in the North."

(MH/JP)

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