Beef farmers in England should follow the example set by their Irish counterparts and hold out for a higher price for slaughter cattle, it has been claimed.
Earlier this month farmers in the Republic of Ireland prompted a stand-off with the country’s processors by demanding at least 198p per kilo deadweight after the decoupling of subsidies under CAP reform on January 1.
Their brinkmanship appeared to pay off and they saw prices jump by more than 30p per kilo in three weeks to 196p, with further rises possible.
After lagging behind England’s for years, Ireland’s beef price is now higher by between 15p and 18p per kilo.
The National Beef Association
is urging producers here to apply the same level of pressure. The association claimed they should set a target price of at least 200p per kilo deadweight for their animals.
Chief executive Robert Forster said: “Now that beef farmers are no longer supported by direct subsidy they can only make a living if they take more income from the market.
“To do this they must be much stronger sellers. They should set a target of 200p for the end of January and then lift the bar higher.
“They should be in no doubt that slaughterers who are buying cattle for £50-£70 a head less than other parts of Britain and Ireland can afford to pay much more. Slaughterers won’t offer more money if they can get cattle easily and so finishers should not take the first price they are offered, but hold their animals back until value is in line with those sold elsewhere.”
A spokesman for meat processor ABP said: “The market determines what the price is, and all processors will have to pay, whatever the market price.”
He said the Irish situation was “not necessarily relevant”, adding: “We will pay the market price for the stock required.”
Greg Meenehan
Earlier this month farmers in the Republic of Ireland prompted a stand-off with the country’s processors by demanding at least 198p per kilo deadweight after the decoupling of subsidies under CAP reform on January 1.
Their brinkmanship appeared to pay off and they saw prices jump by more than 30p per kilo in three weeks to 196p, with further rises possible.
After lagging behind England’s for years, Ireland’s beef price is now higher by between 15p and 18p per kilo.
The National Beef Association
is urging producers here to apply the same level of pressure. The association claimed they should set a target price of at least 200p per kilo deadweight for their animals.
Chief executive Robert Forster said: “Now that beef farmers are no longer supported by direct subsidy they can only make a living if they take more income from the market.
“To do this they must be much stronger sellers. They should set a target of 200p for the end of January and then lift the bar higher.
“They should be in no doubt that slaughterers who are buying cattle for £50-£70 a head less than other parts of Britain and Ireland can afford to pay much more. Slaughterers won’t offer more money if they can get cattle easily and so finishers should not take the first price they are offered, but hold their animals back until value is in line with those sold elsewhere.”
A spokesman for meat processor ABP said: “The market determines what the price is, and all processors will have to pay, whatever the market price.”
He said the Irish situation was “not necessarily relevant”, adding: “We will pay the market price for the stock required.”
Greg Meenehan
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