John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will focus on the role of retailers in this area. We are well aware that farmers, who are the primary producers, are losing money while the processors are making millions and retailers are also doing very well out of beef. Is there any way to get retailers to the table to help resolve the problem that one party, the primary producer, is not making any profit from beef? While some progress has been made on issues around age of slaughter and cattle movements, we have not yet had any input from retailers as to what price they are willing to accept or at what price they would be willing to sell to the public. While progress has been made and I welcome the lifting of the blockades, progress would not have been made had it not been for the actions in which the farmers reluctantly engaged. That is what finally got people around the table and got talks under way. I hope it does not require similar action to get retailers around the table to negotiate what we all want, which is a fair price for primary producers for their quality product.

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