Representatives of the beef industry today met to discuss a marketing strategy aimed at improving the performance of the sector over the next five years.
The proposal was presented by B[AC]ord Bia to Ireland's main farming organisations and beef export companies at a meeting at the Department of Agriculture in Dublin.
If accepted, it will involve Irish beef moving up the value chain within the EU and gaining a greater spread of markets. The strategy presented by Bord Bia was discussed and broadly accepted by participants in the meeting, said a spokesman for the Department of Agriculture.
The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, who chaired the meeting, said the industry needed to refocus its energy on the market at both EU and non-EU level.
He said several factors, including the imminent enlargement of the EU, would have an impact in a variety of ways on the beef industry.
Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, the Minister said he was pleased there was a shared view of the problems facing the beef market and a general acceptance of the Bord Bia analysis.Mr Walsh said in future, margins would have to be available for all involved, both at production and processing level, and that product quality must be both encouraged and rewarded.
He also said he was impressed by the commitment of the beef processors to make use of every market open to Irish beef, saying this was particularly true of Egypt, where opportunities had been created by the lifting of restrictions.
It was agreed that the points identified at the meeting will be examined by the Mr Walsh and his Department and that a further meeting would be held in the New Year.
PA