Monmouthshire farmers speak out about current beef prices

Monmouthshire members of NFU Cymru have praised the announcement that over thirty month beef would be back in the food chain as of 7 November in a recent meeting.

David Morgan, NFU Livestock Vice Chairman, was the guest speaker at the meeting held at Alice Springs Golf Club. He praised the move and told local farmers that it would present opportunities to supply the processing and manufacturing sector as well as the traditional British longer maturing beef breeds. Mr Morgan did warn however that it was essential the OTM compensation scheme continued until the current constraints of the beef export restrictions are lifted.

The other hot topic of the meeting was the current low commodity prices that farmers are presently receiving.

NFU Cymru County Chairman, John Biggs, told members that the beef industry is facing a price crisis and the present price being received is totally unsustainable and below the cost of production for finished cattle.

Mr Biggs went on to inform members of the negotiations being carried out by NFU Cymru and informed them that NFU Welsh Council will be meeting with Tesco later this month to discuss the present plight of Welsh beef producers.

Mr Biggs said, "I will represent local farmers views to Welsh Council. It is essential that producers receive more commitment from retailers and the government otherwise we will loose critical mass and if we are not careful we will not have a sustainable beef industry in this country. The whole beef production chain is dependent on beef finishers getting a satisfactory price for their animals."