Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The engagement at the forum was quite useful in addressing all the factors that influence the market, such as the impact of the weather, as I discussed with Deputy Mattie McGrath. The weather phenomenon had an impact right across Europe. On any analysis of the number of cattle slaughtered, the weather resulted in a downward pressure on price because of the increase in slaughter. For example, we would normally have a market for cow beef in Scandinavian countries during the summer, particularly in Sweden. That did not materialise to any great extent this year because of significant cattle slaughter in that country due to fodder issues.

The market is complex and dynamic. We engaged on this at the forum. As I repeated earlier, neither I nor the forum has a role in telling the factories that they must pay a certain price. I did encourage them to engage. The forum is usually a place where farm organisations and factories engage intensively on these matters. At the forum, processors made a commitment to be open to further engagement, whether at the forum or bilaterally between farm organisations and meat processors.

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