Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. There is a perception, which is well-founded at times, in the wider farming community and all farming organisations that there is a cartel in the beef processing sector. I can remember Government Deputies making the same argument I am making here when they were on this side of the House. It has been stated by farm leaders that Teagasc was implicated in this and that it encouraged farmers to keep bulls and go into the bull market. Can the Minister confirm whether that decision to allow Teagasc to encourage people to do that was taken at Department level?

Beef from cattle in the Six Counties is regarded as British beef and sold accordingly. They are getting the prices. One draws a hairline across part of our country and cattle on one side of the Border get British prices while cattle on this side do not. Can anything be done about that?

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