Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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35. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the ongoing dispute between beef farmers and processors; the progress being made since the last meeting of the beef roundtable; the issues he plans to address at the next meeting of the beef roundtable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43011/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The next meeting of the Beef RoundTable, which I will chair this evening, will receive an update by Michael Dowling on progress in bilateral discussions between processors and farmers. As I have informed the house already today, the need for continued dialogue between farmers and processors is vital to overcoming the current impasse on market specifications and getting the sector back to producing high quality animals for high end markets throughout Europe and beyond. I hope that progress can be made on these issues today. The meeting will also conce ntrate on the next steps in bringing the concept of Producer Organisations to reality. As the Deputy will be aware, the potential for Producer Organisations was identified in the report I had asked Michael Dowling to draft and present to the second meeting of the Beef RoundTable. A public consultation on this issue has since concluded and the responses have been very positive. There is clearly an appetite for Producer Organisations across the beef sector in Ireland and this was confirmed by the last meeting of the Roundtable two weeks ago. At the meeting this evening, I will update stakeholders on the detail of the responses received during the consultation process and explore next steps with all concerned. I strongly believe that Producer Organisations can provide the missing ingredient in the beef supply chain and help provide a better balance to negotiations on price.

The Beef RoundTable is, of course, focusing on a wide range of issues related to the medium to long term strategic development of the sector, and not just the narrow question of market specifications. Improved transparency in the sector has been a key demand from stakeholders and this is being addressed through the new Beef Pricewatch App developed by my Department. The App presents a range of up to date price information in a user-friendly fashion and is available free of charge to farmers and others interested in this information. The feedback from the users to date has been very positive and my Department is already looking at additional functionality for the App. The Roundtable has also proved the catalyst for enhanced engagement between the various agencies in the sector, including as regards the establishment of a technical group to look at specific strategies to improve suckler cow fertility, in order to improve the economic return for farmers.

All of this strategic work is in addition to the substantial investment in the beef sector through the €4 billion draft Rural Development Programme and the €74 million package I announced as part of budget 2015. I can assure the deputy that the Government will continue to address the needs of the sector, both through the development of strategic initiatives and the provision of financial supports as required.