Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael)
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I am not saying there is, but I am more ambitious for the beef sector. In the dairy sector there is resilience when it comes to price fluctuations, which is not a feature of the beef sector. I am not saying anything new in that regard. Co-operatives such as NCF in my area started from humble beginnings. It was of its time and has progressed into what it is today.

The organisations represented are lobbying us to do something to help the people they represent and an industry of which they are proud. Is there a case to be made for having more beef forums at which people could express their concerns about beef prices? Why do the organisations, with all of their expertise and resources, not work with farmers to create co-operatives? Earlier the question was asked why dairy co-ops did not get involved in the beef sector? Farmers need to take control in order that they will not be always the victims. They take great pride in the work they do. Without it, there would be no quality product.

Leaving aside the issue of regulation, I want to know about co-ops and what can be done to empower farmers who are price-takers all of the time, but regardless of what we do, we cannot fix prices. As long as the current structure remains in place, we are tinkering at the edges. Price transparency and new markets aside, unless primary producers are empowered to add value or set terms and conditions, they will remain in a weak position. Something needs to be done or on the expiry of Food Wise 2025 there will be fewer farmers involved in the beef sector. There is need for greater empowerment of farmers and greater enforcement of legislation dealing with cartels and so on.

I am not sure what the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has told the organisations, but it has told the committee that the only case that has been made to it is that generally prices are similar across the board. It has not been presented with files or evidence it can forensically examine. I am sure the IFA has debated the issue a lot more than I have, but it has been an ongoing issue for many years. The IFA has produced expert reports on many issues. It now needs to produce a hard case on prices. Everybody here will fight tooth and nail to bring it forward.