Clare’s Junior Minister Insists Its Vital That All Sides In Beef Dispute Are Heard

Photo © Pat Flynn

Clare’s Junior Minister believes that farmers have a significant case to make in the ongoing beef dispute, and one that must be listened to.

Pat Breen has been speaking after he arranged a meeting between two Clare farmers and the Agriculture Minister earlier this week, and as it looks like the talks could be set to reconvene.

CONTINUE READING BELOW

An announcement could be made later on the reconvening of talks in the Beef Dispute, which has now lasted several weeks.

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed met with stakeholders yesterday in an attempt to get them back to the talks table to resolve the row and all sides were in agreement that more negotiations were needed.

But there was disagreement over when those talks should happen.

Meet Industry Ireland has suggested Monday, but farmers want it to happen on Saturday.

The second round of talks were called off earlier this week when Meat Industry Ireland pulled out, saying they wouldn’t negotiate while protests continued.

Pat O’Toole from the Irish Farmers Journal is unsure if current protests will cease when or if talks reconvene.

The Beef Plan Movement insists that if the talks are to be successful, retailers need to come clean about the profits they’re making on the sale of meat.

Their spokesperson is Dermot O’Brien.

On Monday, Minister Michael Creed met with two Clare farmers, who presented him with evidence of loss of earnings and a document proposing solutions to the crisis.

The meeting was arranged by Clare’s Junior Minister Pat Breen, who says it was worthwhile, and he believes that all sides need to get back to the talks table soon.

An announcement on when the talks will be reconvened could be made later today.