Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, for taking time from his busy schedule to address the issue of the drop in beef prices in meat factories over the past weeks. This will have implications for Food Harvest 2020 and farmer confidence in stocking levels. Will the Minister consider bringing all the stakeholders together in an emergency beef summit to discuss this issue and find a way of moving forward? Following a meeting with the IFA, the Minister met with a delegation from Meat Industry Ireland. Have there been any developments from this meeting?

The beef market is challenging at present. Prices are still very low which could put some farmers at risk of going out of business. Will the Minister consider a slaughter policy for male calves? Will he also consider waiving the €10 export inspection fee on calves?