Ballymahon to host Beef Plan meeting next week
The Beef Plan Movement Committee have invited all farmers and stakeholders to Ballymahon Mart today, Tuesday February 12 (8pm) for a Westmeath Longford Beef Plan information meeting.
It is an opportunity for farmers to have their voices heard, the organisers say.
The Beef Plan Movement was initiated to "protect and advance the interests of the Irish cattle and beef farming community". It is a voluntary farmer-driven not-for-profit organisation.
The core aims of the group are:
• Regaining control of an animal from birth to slaughter and beyond;
• Returning a cost of production price plus a margin with an increased share of the retail price;
• Regaining respect and fairness within the beef industry.
Meetings held nationwide have helped understand beef farmers concerns and given the group focus areas.
The group has now grown to nearly 17,000 members, farmers who have grown frustrated with diminishing returns and increased costs threatening the future of the sector.
The aim of the group is to grow to 40,000 members to as numbers have direct correlation to the voice of the group with stakeholders who influence the industry.
The aim of this regional meeting is to:
• Discuss initiatives;
• Communicate on recent progress of the beef plan;
• Detail the near term and long term objectives of the group;
• Get feedback from farmers and stakeholders to work together to improve the viability of beef farming.
The recent factory carcass excessive trim issues were first highlighted by Beef Plan at one of these nationwide meetings.
Collaboration with some Oireachtas members have helped to raise questions on beef grading machines and it has now come to light that there are instances of the grading machines being inaccurate.
The group are currently working on a number of avenues to improve the lot of beef farmers.
Beef Plan has now registered as a CLG (Company Limited by Guarantee). As a result of becoming a CLG, Beef Plan is in a stronger position to represent farmers with key stakeholders such as DAFM, Bord Bia and Meat Industry Ireland.
Beef Plan intends to create purchasing groups for each county. The group will work to reduce input costs for farmers through deals on insurance, fuel, farm supplies.
Producer groups are being set up by Beef Plan to take back some control of the food chain. These groups will engage with factories and market cattle to ensure maximum return for the producer (suckler farmer/ finisher).
Ultimately, the movement intends to set up its own co-ops to handle slaughter of cattle working with independent processors and subsequently market the beef products as a premium product.
All farmers are encouraged to engage with the Beef Plan and feedback is welcomed to ensure that the organisation works for farmers and addresses concerns of farmers.
Any farmer interested in joining the county purchasing group or the regional producer group should contact any committee member.