Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise because I did not get to hear the delegates' presentation but I read the helpful report in advance of the budget. I was required in the Seanad.

I have just a few questions, which I hope are not too repetitious. We are all referring to the same themes. I wish to refer to the weak bargaining position of the farmer in the food supply chain and the efforts made at EU level to address this. I understand addressing it will have an impact on the multiple retailers. How do the delegates propose to address the issue of the meat processors and the factories in order to get a fairer price?

A report by Iowa State University was brought to my attention. It shows that farmers in that state are getting 45% of the retail price of beef. Our farmers are getting only half of that. Why is that? What can we learn from that? What are the differences that would give rise to beef farmers in Iowa getting more for their animals?

On the issue of the beef forum, from which the delegates removed themselves, is there not a need for the forum to resume and for all stakeholders to sit around the table to discuss the various issues, including the concern over the price beef processors are giving to the farmers, the primary producers? Can this not be thrashed out? As the Chairman knows, when representatives of Bord Bia are before this committee, there is always talk of the free market and it is said we have to let market forces operate to an extent. The market is supported by the Government, however, and the taxpayer pays for Bord Bia finding new markets. The Minister goes abroad winning new markets. All this helps the meat factories and retailers concerned. If they do not acknowledge that it is unsustainable if farmers do not get a better price for their beef, there will be no farmers in the sector. We are aware issues arise over land mobility, including the issue of young farmers not being able to access land and not being interested in doing so because of issues such as the one we are discussing, especially on the beef side. Obviously, it is beef we are talking about here today. I would like some feedback on those comments. I apologise if there is repetition.