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Rumours of a 5c/kg price increase from ABP have been slammed by IFA president Joe Healy as an “insult to farmers”.
Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal at an IFA protest at the Lidl distribution centre in Charleville on Friday, Healy sounded a note of scepticism about the recent announcement from ABP regarding a price rise.
No lorries but still a strong farmer presence at the @IFAmedia protest. President Joe Healy said the 5c price increase rumoured next week from ABP would an "insult" to farmers. pic.twitter.com/jcoPzfh9Rj
— Hannah QuinnMulligan (@hqmulligan) December 6, 2019
“It is speculation, it’s a release signed by a spokesperson with no name to it,” Healy said.
“Again, it’s exactly what the Goodman group and ABP think of Irish farmers, that at this late stage that they’d talk about next week. Why couldn’t they offer that today?”
“It shows the scant regard and absolute disloyalty of the Goodman group and other processors towards beef farmers.
“We wouldn’t be satisfied with 5c - 5c would be an insult to farmers.”
In response to the question on whether there would be more protests outside distribution centres next week, Healy didn’t confirm that the IFA would continue protests, but said: “I think there needs to be a significant price increase next week.
“You’re talking about millions, €3m to €5m a week, that are taken out of the pockets of beef farmers.”
Tim Mulcahy, Glanmire - suckler farmer
“It’s something that has been overdue for a number of months. 5c won’t exactly make a big difference to overdraft payments or any bills that have to be paid, but it’s welcome at the same time.
“It’s a long way off our target and we’re not going to be satisfied with 5c.”
Would you keep protesting?
“If we were to stop at the moment and we accept what is going to come to us, I don’t think we’ll be around a long more so we’ve no choice in the matter but to keep at it.”
Tommy Lane, Ardnacrusha - suckler to finisher
“I haven’t seen anything yet on the price but we’re 20c/kg off the beef index at the moment, so I’ll be hoping that they’re taking steps in meeting that requirement, not to mention the 50c/kg we’re missing off the British market.”
Would you keep protesting?
“I think we have to follow through on this and it is a must that we have to get what’s out there in the market place rewarded back to the farmers now.”
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