Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The only way we can ensure a food ombudsman or any other body will be able to tackle unfair practices within the sector is if we have all the information in the first instance. It is incredible that the Department does not have a definition of "factory feedlot" or of a feedlot in general. We are basing all our information on the controlled finishing units, which serve as a proxy. Even so, we know that 300,000 cattle, or over 15% of the total kill, came from within those units last year. It is inconceivable to suggest they do not have an impact on the prices farmers receive. Therefore, if the people who are paying the farmers and on whom farmers depend, that is, the factories, have sufficient and significant control over the same units, it raises a major issue of accountability and fairness in the system. Will the Minister now ensure a proper analysis of the process?

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