IFA National Livestock Chairman, Angus Woods confirmed today (15th July) that IFA has been in contact with the senior management in the main beef factory groups and made it clear that beef price cuts will not be tolerated. He said IFA also informed them that they must restore prices to viable levels.
He said farmer confidence is on the floor and the factories have to immediately stop the price cuts, which are exploiting a very difficult market situation.
He said beef farmers are very angry with what they see as the factories’ refusal to support beef farmers at this difficult time. “This is not only undermining the confidence of beef and suckler farmers at a critical time for the future of the sector, it is also undermining prices and the value of our beef in the market place”.
Angus Woods said, “This drive to the bottom on price is inflicting severe financial hardship on farmers and sending the wrong signal to the market place, undermining the value of our product and our production standards”.
“This week the base price for steers is €3.60 and €3.70 for heifers. Some factories are attempting to quote lower prices, but are having to pay more than the quotes.”
The IFA Livestock leader said farmers with quality prime cattle are strongly resisting the price cuts and insisting that they get more than the loss-making quoted price.
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