Get back around table to resolve beef protests

THE ongoing impasse between farmers and the meat plants will not be resolved in the courts. Talking in the only way forward, a meeting of Mayo County Council's Claremorris/Swinford Municipal District was told this afternoon.

Councillor Damien Ryan called on Minister Michael Creed to take the lead in the matter and get all parties back into discussions. A resolution, he said, would not be sorted in the courts.

Councillor Ryan also touched on issues regarding retail and processing legislation, and of below cost selling, saying legislation - also necessary for products other than beef - was need in this regard.

Councillor John Cribben said no one wanted to see farmers outside the gates. Everyone wanted to see the problem resolved and the only way was to sit around a table.

“All farmers want is a fair price,” he said. Steps were underway today for a meeting between the minister and the new independent farmers group and he was delighted these steps were being taken.

Councillor John Caulfield said the cost of production for farmers was such that they could no longer sustain it. The minister's hands were tied to an extent but he said some government body regarding price should be put in place.

Intervention as a short-term measure was a proposal Councillor Patsy O'Brien wondered about. It might give more of a competitive edge.

The situation was creating division and it was important not to have a free for all regarding representation, he added.

He commented on the 30-month rule and also said the basic reality is that good cuts of meet are not being sold. There has been a huge culture change. The outlet now was burgers and beef processing. Meat was going into processing rather than cuts.

Councillor Neil Cruise said the matter will be resolved over the next few weeks but there needs to be a far more unified approach by the farmer groups.