Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East, Anne Rabbitte, has welcomed the news that the Irish Beef Producers can now officially operate as a Producers Organisation.

The application made by the Irish Beef Producers establishes them as a recognised Producer Organisation in the beef sector, meaning they can now negotiate fair prices with beef factories around the country.

Deputy Rabbitte commented:

As the beef crisis rumbles on, the recognition of the Irish Beef Producers by the Department of Agriculture could very well be what’s needed to break the current impasse.

She went on:

One of the stumbling blocks of the beef talks to date was the fact that price could not be discussed. Now, through the Irish Beef Producers, price can be discussed, and a more equitable system put in place.  My understanding is that the Irish Beef Producers have a number of farmers lined up to work through them so it’s inevitable that meat processors will have to sit down with them. MII must now return to talks if they want to get their own systems up and running again. There’s now no excuse for them not to talk price.

Deputy Rabbitte concluded:

There will be many advantages for farmers to have the Irish Beef Producers working for them, and credit to both Eoin Donnelly and Michael McManus for leading the charge on this. Hopefully, this will now pave the way for a breakthrough and sustainability for farmers can be achieved.