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An agreement to the end beef crisis has been reached after marathon talks over the weekend, the agriculture minister has confirmed.<\/p>\nAn agreement to the end beef crisis has been reached after marathon talks over the weekend, the agriculture minister has confirmed.<\/p>\n
The deal includes an immediate increase in prices for farmers and reform of the Irish beef sector.<\/p>\n
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said the agreement was reached between meat industry representatives and farm organizations including the Beef Plan Movement.<\/p>\n
The agreement involves a number of interventions to provide immediate benefit for beef producers, as well as a range of strategic measures to address structural imbalances in the sector.<\/p>\n
Farmers have been protesting about the prices they receive for beef since July.<\/p>\n
Confirming details of the agreement, Mr Creed said: \u201cBeef producers will benefit from an immediate increase in a range of bonuses, including an increase of 66% in the current in-spec bonus for steers and heifers from 12 cent to 20 cent per kilo.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also include a new bonus of 8 cent per kilo for steers and heifers aged 30 to 36 months.<\/p>\n
The minister said a beef market task force will be established to develop a pathway for the beef sector in terms of economic, environmental and social sustainability.<\/p>\n
The task force will be independently chaired by an appointee of the minister, and will include department officials, state agencies and nominees from farm organisations and the meat industry.<\/p>\n
Mr Creed said the task force will provide a robust implementation structure for commitments entered into in the agreement, with timelines and stakeholder engagement.<\/p>\n
The government expects the agreement will bring to an end protests outside meat processing factories.<\/p>\n
In a statement Mr Creed said: \u201cA number of actions in the area of market transparency, beef promotion and strengthening the position of the farmer in the supply chain were agreed upon.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, an immediate scientific review of the Quality Payment Grid by Teagasc, an independent review of market and customer requirements, specifically in relation to the four in-spec bonus criteria currently in operation in the Irish beef sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe agreed measures set a course towards greater clarity for all stakeholders involved in the beef supply chain, primarily farmers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish to thank all participants in this process for their contribution towards agreeing a way forward for the Irish beef sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope that this agreement will prove to be a first step in fostering stronger partnerships in this critical sector for the Irish economy and for rural Ireland.\u201d- Press Association<\/p>\n
The Independent Farmers of Ireland group has issued a statement, stressing that the agreement only comes into effect when pickets are stood down from all affected factories.<\/p>\n
It says that despite reports the deal is done, that decision can only be taken by protesters at the factory gates.<\/p>\n