Strike threat over poor beef prices

Organisation calls for producers to take action if returns do not improve

By Joe Watson

Published:

Farmers are being told to contemplate strike action and to stop sending cattle to slaughter unless ex-farm prices show a significant increase.

The call for a 60-70p a kg (27.2p-31.8p a lb) rise to a minimum £3.20 per kg (£1.45 a lb) comes from Farmers for Action, one of the more militant organisations representing the industry.

The increase is seen as justifiable by the group as it claims Europe is for the first time in decades facing the possibility of a beef shortage. It also points to farmers themselves facing huge increases in production costs because of escalating animal costs that makes livestock production unprofitable at current prices.

The FFA demand comes as Northern Ireland's meat industry taskforce urges the UK Government and European Commission to ensure domestic beef production is not placed at a competitive disadvantage.

It has called for a review of European regulation on the sector as well as state investment to secure efficiencies across the beef supply chain.

Chairman Owen Brennan said: “We cannot afford procrastination. Already the European Commission regulatory process has cost our industry. The Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association estimates that the delay in approving Herculex – a GM maize variety – has cost our agricultural industry £50million in one year.

“This along with the other issues needs to be addressed and political influence used to achieve results.”

FFA said with Europe’s tighter restrictions on Brazilian beef imports there was the real possibility of a shortfall in EU supplies.

FFA spokesman William Taylor added: “FFA’s advice to beef farmers in their current unique short supply situation is don’t stop pushing until the now attainable price of £3.20 a kg inflation-linked minimum is achieved.

“Over the next coming weeks if farm-gate prices don’t improve FFA will seek the support of Farmers for Europe (another pressure group) members across these islands for an all-out beef strike.

“For the sake of our beef industry and all the young farmers who deserve a chance to be beef farmers with pride instead of poverty, beef farmers from today onwards should stand firm and demand £3.20 a kg."

NFU Scotland acting chief executive James Withers said the economics of livestock production had to change if productive capacity is to be retained north of the border.

He called on the Scottish Government to speed up improvements to public procurement to deliver benefits to livestock producers.

He agreed on the need for improved regulation, highlighting too the merits of new debate on the use of GM crops.

The call for at least £3.20 ex-farm, however, ignores the wider market and the huge resistance currently from retailers to paying higher prices for beef.