IFA President John Bryan said the Committee appointed by the Minister for
Agriculture Brendan Smith to implement the Food Harvest 2020 recommendations
for the beef sector must restore sustained profitability to livestock
farmers within a short timeframe.

John Bryan said IFA will present a comprehensive package of proposals to the
Committee and livestock farmers will expect their adoption and
implementation by the Government.

The IFA President said the Food Harvest 2020 report has correctly identified
the closing of the price differential between Ireland and other premium
competitors in the UK and EU markets and maintaining Irish beef’s premium
position in EU markets, as the key challenge facing the sector.

John Bryan said closing the market price gap is the key issue to be
addressed by the processors in order to restore profit to the livestock
sector and IFA will vigorously pursue delivery on this through the
Government’s Implementation Committee.

The IFA President said the beef and livestock sector is a hugely important
economic driver in Rural Ireland and sustained profitability at farm level
is essential if the 20% increase in output value targeted in the Food
Harvest 2020 report is to be achieved.

John Bryan expressed concern at the balance on the Committee and called on
the Minister to include a person from the mart and live exporter sector to
ensure that this vital trade is fully represented .

John Bryan said delivery on the following key elements of the 2020 report is
essential to restore sustainable profitability at farm level;

• Processors must permanently close the price gap with the UK and our
continental EU markets;

• Increasing competition by maximising market access and live export
opportunities;

• Delivery by Bord Bia on promoting Brand Ireland to achieve pride of place
on the supermarket shelf and a premium price for Irish beef;

• An effective Teagasc programme and an ICBF beef breeding strategy to
deliver improved productivity and efficiency at farm level;

• Defending the Irish beef sector on the issue of Mercosur and EU import
standards;

• Securing the future of Direct Payments - the Single Farm Payment,
Disadvantaged Areas, REPS, AEOS and the Suckler Welfare scheme;

• Maintaining the national asset that is our 1 million Suckler cow herd.