Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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I asked a question of Bord Bia and did not get an answer. Do the witnesses see the fact that we have only one purchaser of organic beef in the country as a serious disadvantage? We were told that a premium of only 12% is being paid on organic beef at the moment compared with commercial beef. Do the witnesses think that is a result of only having one buyer of organic beef in the country? The other point is that 40% of our organic beef and 75% of our lamb is seeping out of the system and has to be sold as commercial beef or lamb. There was a second outlet for organic beef in the past. That was allowed to be purchased by another player in the beef industry. We now have two outlets for organic beef all under the one banner. Do the witnesses feel that that is a serious disadvantage to getting a premium price for organic beef?