Dire Weather Forces Union to Cry Out for Beef Sector
EU – Beef production is no longer profitable for many farmers as a late winter and heavy rains are making feed provision extremely tough.
17 April 2013
1 minute read
Mounting production costs and low margins have stranded beef farmers with some of the lowest incomes across Europe, according to Piere Chevalier, Chairman of the EU beef meat Working Party for Copa – Cogeca speaking in Brussels.
Speaking on behalf of the Copa-Cogeca, the European agricultural and cooperatives union, Secretary General Pekka Pesonen stated that beef production is in a ‘fragile’ state.
“In view of the weak returns from the market, there risks being a serious economic and social impact, deepening the crisis further,” said Mr Pesonen. “The increase in production costs, the reduction in producer margins and the lack of profitability means the whole sector will be seriously affected.”
He added that talk of bilateral trade was not helping due to the concerns it raises in the beef sector.
Political decisions need to be taken to preserve beef in Europe, Mr Pesonen concluded.
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