Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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1455. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the latest attempts to reconvene beef talks with all stakeholders; and the efforts taken since protests started to find a resolution to the impasse. [36827/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I share the Deputy's concerns about the ongoing serious difficulties facing the beef sector.

There has been significant engagement with stakeholders throughout the duration of this dispute and I believe that there is now a basis for the renewal of talks between the parties. These talks have been scheduled for next Monday 9th September.

We have reached a point where it is critically important for the future of the sector that stakeholders engage in a spirit of compromise to resolve a dispute that has the potential to inflict long term damage on the sector if it continues. It is clear that this can only happen if processors and protestors step back from Court proceedings and illegal blockades, in order to allow space for meaningful talks to proceed.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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1456. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has formally submitted an application to the EU Commission for market disturbance funding for beef farmers under Article 219 of the CAP in view of the fact that prices have fallen further since May 2019. [36828/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I have had ongoing discussions with Commissioner Hogan regarding the potential impact of a disorderly Brexit. I have stressed the need for the Commission to be ready to deploy a range of measures to mitigate the potential impacts on the agri-food and fisheries sector. Avoiding a no-deal Brexit continues to be the Government’s overriding policy priority.

I am also keenly aware that the recent months have been very difficult for beef farmers in particular. There has been a prolonged and exceptional period of depressed prices since last autumn, with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the outcome of Brexit, among other factors, contributing to this market disturbance.

In advance of Brexit and in recognition of the impact of the uncertainty around Brexit, amongst other factors, on the Irish beef sectors and prices, the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM), with funding of up to €100 million from the EU and the Exchequer, has opened for applications. I recently extended the closing date for BEAM applications to 15th September. There is a helpline in place to deal with individual farmers queries and my Department will be holding a number of online clinics in the run up to the extended closing date.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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1457. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on latest analysis by an organisation (details supplied) that farmers receive just half the total value realised for beef animals. [36829/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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This issue was raised at the recent beef stakeholder talks chaired by an independent chairperson and facilitated by my Department.Significant progress was made on a range of issues after long and detailed negotiations, including in relation to improvements in transparency along the supply chain, and in communications between industry and farmers and a review of some market specifications.

Full details of the Backweston Agreement are available at:

My Department is actively progressing relevant commitments, including, for example, starting the procurement process for an in-depth review of market and customer criteria and an independent study of price composition along the supply chain.

There has been significant engagement with stakeholders throughout the duration of this dispute and I believe that there is now a basis for the renewal of talks between the parties. These talks have been scheduled for next Monday 9th September.

We have reached a point where it is critically important for the future of the sector that stakeholders engage in a spirit of compromise to resolve a dispute that has the potential to inflict long term damage on the sector if it continues. It is clear that this can only happen if processors and protestors step back from Court proceedings and illegal blockades, in order to allow space for meaningful talks to proceed.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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1458. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the proposal by a farm organisation (details supplied) for an investigation to be carried out in the beef sector in order to establish processor and retailer margins along the supply chain. [36832/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Progress was made on a range of issues after long and detailed negotiations in August, including in relation to improvements in transparency along the supply chain, and in communications between industry and farmers and a review of some market specifications.

The agreement includes commitments on:

- Review of the grid;

- Review of the in-spec criteria for the quality payment system bonus;

- Availability of carcass images to farmers;

- Appeals system for carcass classification in manually grading factories;

- Publication of an expert report on new technology in mechanical carcass classification and

- Promotional initiatives for the beef sector;

- Market transparency initiatives, including more detailed price reporting, and the transposition of the EU Directive on Unfair Trading Practices.

Full details of the Backweston Agreement are available at:

There has been significant engagement with stakeholders throughout the duration of this dispute and I believe that there is now a basis for the renewal of talks between the parties. These talks have been scheduled for next Monday 9th September.

We have reached a point where it is critically important for the future of the sector that stakeholders engage in a spirit of compromise to resolve a dispute that has the potential to inflict long term damage on the sector if it continues. It is clear that this can only happen if processors and protestors step back from Court proceedings and illegal blockades, in order to allow space for meaningful talks to proceed.