Anger In Clare As Independent Farmers Excluded From Beef Taskforce Talks

The Minister for Agriculture has confirmed that independent farmers won’t be included in the ongoing beef talks.

It comes as the Beef Taskforce is meeting for the second time, as the row over beef prices continues.

The Independent Farmers of Ireland group is now demonstrating outside Minister Micheal Creed’s constituency office in Macroom, in protest over their exclusion from the talks, as Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill reports.

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Today’s meeting of the Beef Taskforce is widely regarded the most significant gathering since last year’s protests.

For the first time, all the major retailers are attending the talks, with meat processors and farming organisations also at the table.

Farmers insist that unless the price issue is dealt with, the sector will be under threat.

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed says he’s keen for progress to be made, adding that he understands the concerns from farmers.

Farmers have warned that more protests will take place in the capital next week, if progress isn’t made in today’s talks, but the Clare based General Secretary of the ICSA is warning that the issues facing the sector won’t be fixed overnight.

Cratloe farmer Eddie Punch says transparency surrounding beef price is crucial.

Calls have been made for independent farmers to be included in the ongoing talks, but the Agriculture Minister has today confirmed that won’t be the case.

The newly-appointed National Chair of the Independent Farmers of Ireland, Kilmurry McMahon farmer Seamus Shannon is accusing Minister Creed of denying them representation.

The talks are continuing this afternoon.