Beef industry crisis
Seamus Kirk asked what action the Government would take to address the beef industry crisis. The Taoiseach cited falling British consumption, changing product requirements and possible additional Bord Bia resources, while Mattie McGrath blamed a beef cartel.
On the food marketing Bill and given the crisis in the beef industry, as well as the sector’s importance to the well-being of the economy and exports, etc., what initiatives is the Government contemplating to address this crisis?
Comment on this
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine dealt with this comprehensively this morning on a national radio station. Given the drop in the consumption of beef in Britain, in particular, and the change in the nature of beef product required, as well as the advice and assistance the Government is making for beef farmers, the resources for Bord Bia are being considered in the determination of the Vote for agriculture and its subsidiaries. The Minister is acutely aware of the difficulties for beef farmers.
