Cavan ICMSA man lashes meat processors on prices

"There is absolutely no justification for such a price gap between Irish and UK cattle prices and this gap must be bridged immediately by meat processors," according to Anthony Callery, chairperson of Cavan ICMSA. Mr. Callery said that in the month of October the gap between Irish and UK beef prices has grown by a further €60 per head bringing the gap to over €150 per head at a time when Irish beef farmers were on their knees. "The facts demonstrate that since the start of October beef prices have actually increased in the UK, while prices have fallen in Ireland with the result that the average steer in Ireland is now being sold at €150 less than its equivalent in the UK," said the Cavan ICMSA representative. Mr. Callery claims that the reason the gap has grown is simple. With the increased kill over the past month, meat processors were simply taking advantage of the increased supplies and were profiteering at the expense of farmers by pulling prices. "These cattle are now being sold at a loss and farmers will simply not be able to stay in the business unless prices return to sustainable levels. Once again our processors take a short term benefit with no account taken of the long-term damage to the overall sector," he said. Anthony Callery stated that the UK accounts for over 50% of Irish beef exports and prices were rising in that market so the drop in beef prices over the past month simply could not be justified, continued the Cavan chairman. "Our main market for beef over the past month has seen increased beef prices and it beggars belief to see processors pulling prices here and taking extra profit themselves when they know that the beef farmers are facing extraordinarily difficult circumstances," concluded the Kilnaleck farmer.