24 January 2007
A unique Task Force has been working for the last year to initiate the development of a long-term strategy for the Northern Ireland beef and sheepmeat industry.
The Task Force, facilitated by The Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) has included the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD), the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), the National Beef Association (NBA) and the Northern Ireland Meat Exporters’ Association (NIMEA).
The work will involve a comprehensive investigation of all aspects of the Northern Ireland red meat chain to determine how a profitable and sustainable industry can be achieved in the new market-driven environment following the decoupling of subsidies from production. The research will include all aspects of production, processing and marketing and a comprehensive involvement across all of the industry interests.
Supporting the launch of the initiative, Minister for Agriculture, David Cairns, commented, “I am pleased to have been able to lend support to this initiative which aims to find a route to future viability for this important part of the local agricultural industry. In Northern Ireland the agri-food sector accounts for almost 5% of the economy and 8% of total employment. It is crucial that a workable strategy is developed that will allow industry and Government to work together to establish a long-term viability for beef and sheep production in Northern Ireland.”
Chairman of LMC, Owen Brennan, launching the initiative, commented, “The appointment of a consultancy firm to the Task Force marks a step change in our endeavours to get a better understanding of the red meat industry in Northern Ireland and how we can all work together for the future. This industry can only prosper if it makes financial sense to continue in business right across the supply chain. On the basis of the current lack of profitability at farm level, it is likely that the work which we are embarking upon will result in recommendations for significant change and while we cannot predict the outcome of the work, we need to find solutions that move us from the unsustainability of our current setup.”
President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, Kenneth Sharkey, says, “The Northern Ireland beef and sheep industries are at a cross roads. The decoupling of CAP support from farm production has led to a major change in the way production decisions are made on livestock farms. Currently farm incomes do not cover production costs. It has been established that across Northern Ireland farm gate losses on beef and sheep production for meat totalled over £150 million in 2005. The production of local beef and lamb will only continue in future if these enterprises are profitable. Our involvement in this project is designed to develop and implement a plan to secure the long term viability of beef and lamb producers, and also the wider red meat industry.”
President of NIMEA, Campbell Tweedie says, “Over the past decade our industry has experienced significant pressures arising from the ten-year ban on exports, exchange rate movements and consolidation of purchasing power by major retailers. The processing industry is facing an uncertain future as we risk the decline of livestock production and the increasing competition from third countries such as Brazil and Argentina. It is essential that we seek expert strategic support and co-ordinate across the industry to allow us to have a sustainable chain of production, processing and supply for the future.”
Dan Flinter, Chairman of the Food Strategy Implementation Partnership, congratulated the partnership approach within the red meat sector, saying, “We are pleased that the Food Strategy Implementation Partnership has been able to be highly supportive of this project. The importance of beef and sheepmeat to the Northern Ireland food industry cannot be overstated. In the current environment, many Northern Ireland people depend on a successful and profitable industry; planning for that future at this time of substantial change should be supported by everyone with an interest in the development of a successful economic future for Northern Ireland.”
The work of the Task Force will be open and consultative. Inputs will be sought from the full range of industry stakeholders (producers, processors and the market) and a report and implementation plan is expected to be published in the early autumn 2007. The results will be made available throughout the industry.
Following on from this announcement, a series of briefings will take place across the full range of industry interests, and a website will be established to allow everyone to maintain awareness of progress.
Ends
For further information contact Maria McLaughlin, LMC Communications Manager tel: 028 9263 3016 or email mmclaughlin@lmcni.com
