The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has hardened its position in relation to its dispute within the Beef Market Taskforce (BMT) forum because of the non-delivery to date on the commitment to develop a Suckler brand.
The INHFA President, Colm O’Donnell stated” that during talks with the Department of Agriculture and Bord Bia over the last number of days, the INHFA has made its position crystal clear.” In order to preserve the integrity of the Taskforce agreement and to settle our dispute, we must now see a concrete proposal on the table with the full backing of all Taskforce members including the Meat processors.”
The farm leader continued by saying “the INHFA have registered an opposition to the protected geographical indicator (PGI) for Irish grass fed beef because of the lack of delivery on the Suckler brand. In our opposition paper to the PGI we have clearly stated that in order to resolve our dispute with the Taskforce and to preserve the integrity of the agreement, that both meat processors and Bord Bia must come on board with suckler farmers and ensure delivery on the suckler brand.
Concluding O’Donnell said that the ” INHFA have informed the Taskforce Chairman that unless there is a clear commitment given on the development of a suckler brand that includes at least one processor coming on board, they would not support the current grass based PGI application. To do so, said O’Donnell, in the absence of a suckler brand being developed would be a sell-out of all 65,000 suckler farmers, something the INHFA was not prepared to do.”
