Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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98. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects to have the names of the members of the beef market task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41955/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I have established a Beef Market Taskforce to provide the leadership to develop a sustainable pathway for the future of the beef sector in terms of economic, environmental and social sustainability. The Taskforce will provide a robust implementation structure for commitments entered into in the Irish Beef Sector Agreement of 15th September, with timelines and stakeholder engagement. Furthermore, the Beef Market Taskforce will offer a suitable platform for strategic engagement with key stakeholders, including retailers and regulatory authorities.

I have appointed Michael Dowling as independent Chair of the Taskforce, and its membership includes representatives from my Department, relevant State agencies, farm organisations and the meat industry. The Beef Taskforce scheduled for yesterday, 14 October, was adjourned, as members of the Taskforce were prevented from attending the meeting. It is in the interests of everyone involved in the beef industry that the work of the Taskforce goes ahead. The Taskforce’s remit is to monitor the implementation of the actions arising from the agreement reached on 15 September and offers the most viable platform for strategic engagement with key stakeholders. It was a great pity that farm representatives were not in a position to air the legitimate concerns of farmers at the Taskforce.