Irish beef is proving less of a bonanza for British retailers than their critics among home producers believe, as cattle markets in the Republic have stabilised quickly after the BSE crisis on the continent. Farming lobbyists led by the National Beef Association accuse the multiples of squeezing the British industry by exploiting the availability of cheap Irish product diverted from other EU markets, particularly France, where consumer demand collapsed late last year. However, R grade steers are now costing Irish processors nearly as much as three months ago, before the crisis began, and much more than early last year when the Republic's slaughtering industry was hit by a dispute over payments to producers. The price bounce has been caused mainly by Irish farmers holding back stock and processing companies slowing operations in preparation for the "purchase for destruction" scheme. This EU culling programme, similar to the UK's Over Thirty Month Scheme, was introduced in the Republic on Monday with generous compensation terms forcing up the market price for young, good quality beef cattle. Surprisingly, the Irish Food Board reports unsatisfied demand in France for cow beef, perhaps an indication the destruction scheme will tighten the overall EU market. {{MEAT }}

Topics