Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Not that affected the discussion on this. I have had repeated discussions with Tesco on this issue. I have had Tesco representatives in my Department where we have had long meetings on this and other issues. We had a meeting with the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium whose representatives made it very clear that it was its members who decided, for the moment anyway, that because they could access meat with a clear country of origin of either Ireland or Britain, that was their preference. It has nothing to do with Dawn Meats or anyone else so let us not try to create problems where the evidence suggests they do not exist.

I am not an apologist or defender of the processing sector or factories. They are big boys who can stand up for themselves. My job primarily is to look after the primary producer. I am the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and that is what I do. However, I am also interested in telling people the truth and the truth in respect of this issue is that when there is a lot of beef around, as there has been with 15% more beef produced in 2014 than in 2013, and consumption is down, as it has been for most of the year albeit it is improving, retailers will choose high quality meat that has a clear label on country of origin rather than having to choose mixed origin label beef. That is notwithstanding the fact that mixed origin label beef is very good quality also. That has been the source of the problem. As supply contracts somewhat, the Deputy might see a change of heart from retailers.

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