Beef
Changes can be made to the beef grid system that would go some way towards achieving transparency, according the ICMSA.
Just hours after the conclusion of the beef sector reform talks questions are being asked of who will benefit from the upcoming grid review?
A "complete overhaul" of the beef grid is needed, and it must reflect the "impact of dairy expansion", according to the ICSA.
Penalties imposed by factories cost farmers over €33 million last year, according to analysis by IFA treasurer Tim Cullinan.
Factories must contribute €30 million to make changes to the beef grid system, according to the treasurer of the IFA.
Beef processors and farming organisations are in sight of hammering out an agreement on a number of issues in ongoing beef talks.
Agri Politics
The grading system at meat plants has been described as "completely outdated" as they cannot provide "real-time information" to beef farmers.
Opinion
The Beef Plan Movement is not the first group of fired-up rebels to learn that announcing that something is broke is the easy part.
A solution has to be found in "ongoing systematic flaws" in the beef sector, particularly with the beef grid grading system, the ICMSA says.
A long-term strategy is needed to address on-going concerns over the country's "complicated" beef pricing grid, MEP Sean Kelly has warned.
It is now time to move into the 21st century and prepare to replace the grid system with payment on meat yield, according to the ICSA.
Recent figures have revealed the extent to which O and P-grade cattle, dairy-origin stock in other words, have dominated the Irish beef kill between January and June of this year.
Irish beef factories operate their specifications like "goalposts mounted on wheels" according to the Chairperson of ICMSA’s Livestock Committee.
