Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and I know this is something that received much attention during the beef protests last year and has also received much attention since then with regard to the beef task force. The Deputy knows there is not a rule as such limiting the age of cattle or the number of movements for beef production, but meat processors do make in-spec bonus payments in respect of cattle that meet certain market specifications which can be required by retail customers.

The 30 month age and four movement specifications to which the Deputy refers fall into this category. Such specifications are a commercial matter and are not conditions imposed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It should be noted that certain third countries have imposed a 30 month age limit in respect of beef imports and that this is specified in certain veterinary health certificates which accompany beef exports to those countries.

In September 2019, consensus was reached between stakeholders on the Irish beef sector agreement. Two elements of the agreement relate to the specifications we are referring to, the first being the introduction of a new bonus of 8 cent per kilogramme for steers and heifers aged between 30 and 36 months that meet all non-age-related existing in-spec criteria and that up to now had not been the subject of any bonus. The second element is an independent review of market and customer requirements, specifically in respect of the four in-spec bonus criteria currently in operation in the beef sector here. The Deputy will be very much aware that the details of this agreement are publicly available on my Department’s website.

Grant Thornton was successful in tendering for the transparency studies, including the review of market and customer requirements, specifically in the context of the in-spec bonus criteria currently in operation in the beef sector. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused some initial delays to progress on these studies. The consultants were unable to have the necessary engagement with retail customers, both domestically and in key export markets for Irish beef, as retailers were understandably preoccupied with ensuring the continuation of their supply chains. However, this work is back on track and substantial updates on it are planned for the next meeting of the task force.

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