Matt Shanahan Calls for 'beam' Scheme to Save Irish Beef Farmers
Matt Shanahan asked the minister to consider a new beam scheme to support Irish beef finishers and beef farmers. He said finishers and farmers face catastrophic losses due to falling factory gate prices, reduced demand on the continent because of COVID, and rising input costs in fertiliser and meat supplements.
Appeal for a beam scheme
Shanahan urged the government to introduce a new beam scheme to help beef finishers and farmers bring product to market. He described current losses as catastrophic and highlighted the mismatch between retail prices and farm returns.
Market pressures and costs
He cited falling factory gate prices, reduced demand on the continent due to COVID, and rising input prices in fertiliser and meat supplements as the main drivers of the crisis. He noted the practical pressures facing farmers trying to get product to market.
Organic scheme as a market option
He referenced a recently opened organic scheme introduced by a colleague, the minister, saying it could allow around "500 or 600" farmers to participate. He argued that moving into organic production could reduce input costs and secure higher prices for beef and lamb.
Beef Task Force and supply-chain visibility
Shanahan called for urgent action from the Beef Task Force to provide visibility on pricing and the supply chain. He urged the task force to seek solutions to improve how prices are set and to support beef finishers and farmers.
End of remarks
His opportunity for a reply expired before further discussion could take place, and he reiterated that a greener, organic direction could be the best way to guarantee price stability for farmers.
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Minister, I am asking the government to consider a new beam scheme to support Irish beef finishers and beef farmers. The beef finishers and farmers are facing catastrophic losses at the moment in bringing their product to market because of falling factory gate prices and reduced demand on the continent due to COVID. In addition to this, they are dealing with rising input prices in fertiliser and meat supplements. At the moment, Minister, a frozen pizza in supermarket by weight sells more than Irish beef cuts, which is an absolute tragedy for beef farmers. I am asking you, Minister, would you please look at introducing a beam scheme and also look for urgent action from the Beef Task Force to try and get some visibility on the pricing and supply chain, please. Minister. I recommend, and you would say I would say this, but my colleague, Minister Pippet-Hackett, has just introduced a new scheme where we have opened up the organic scheme. I think it provides for something like 500 or 600 farmers to be able to go into it. And the reason I mention it is because I think that's the future for Irish farming, particularly beef and lamb. Because what it offers the prospect of is reducing the input costs and increasing the price that we get on the market. And that, as I understand, is patently clear that you can see the price versus one versus the other. I believe there's a few food strategies coming close to fruition now. I believe it's in the interest of farmers to actually to go in this green way, because it is the best way of guaranteeing a price. Deputy, please, please sit down, Deputy, the time is now gone for the reply. Thank you.
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