Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 3:

To insert the following after “provide additional funding to ensure the viability of the knackery industry, while reviewing the fallen animal scheme.”:“further notes that:

— the fact that the further the beef animal goes from the farm gate, the less information is made available on price; and in light of the distinct lack of information on margins in the processing sector or the farmers’ share of the carcass price received on EU markets by processors, including the volumes and value of specific cuts, there is now an urgent need for measures to be taken to provide beef price transparency right across the supply chain; and

further calls on the Government to:

— intensify efforts to secure EU Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for certified grass-fed, extensively reared Irish Suckler Beef and in tandem with PGI status to develop a new marketing brand, along the lines of the Kerrygold brand, to sell this unique product into premium markets;

— implement the recommendation to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission of 28th May last, that a dedicated sectoral regulator be established as a matter of urgency

to enforce the EU Directive on Unfair Trading Practices in the agricultural and food supply chain, and to deliver ongoing regulatory interventions to improve the welfare of farmers;

— as an interim measure, ensure that the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation shall, under section 10(4) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014, request the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to carry out a market study and analysis on the nature and scale of consumer and beef farmer issues in the beef market and make recommendations, as appropriate; and

— ensure that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine immediately convenes a cross-sector implementation group to establish a publicly owned and controlled national beef supply blockchain, which has the potential to transform the beef supply chain by reducing production costs, emissions and allowing the farmer to receive a premium return for beef while providing consumers with greater confidence in the beef they consume.”

See this speech in context