Hope for improved beef prices thanks to buoyant market

The state of the British beef market was the main topic under discussion at a recent meeting of NFU Cymru members, held at Fron Bella farm, Pentrefoelas, Clwyd.

Speaking to farmers at the meeting, Thomas Binns Chairman of the NFU National Livestock Board said, "The fundamentals of the British beef market remain strong, and with demand across Europe for beef buoyant there is a real opportunity in the coming months to maintain and improve beef prices to levels which much better reflect our true costs of production."

He added, "At the same time, we must pull out all the stops to ensure that beef and beef products that are imported into Europe are produced to the same high level of standards and traceability as those applied within Europe.

"Throughout the summer months, NFU branches across the UK have been very active in stressing to the EU Commission that it must do more to prevent third country beef imports entering the European market, which are unable to demonstrate the same high level of standards and traceability as those applied within Europe."

"This extensive lobbying by the NFU branches across UK has led European Commissioner Kyprianou (Health & Consumer Protection) to announce a visit to Brazil later this month to make a personal assessment of the standards of production. The NFU has continually expressed concern over this issue, which of course resulted at one point earlier this year with the Union successfully persuading ASDA to remove sub-standard Brazilian beef from its shelves." added Thomas Binns.