BEEF processors and retailers cannot justify a widening gap between local beef prices and prices in most other parts of the United Kingdom, the Ulster Farmers' Union has said.
The UFU comments were prompted by reports that the gap between prices paid to local beef farmers and producers in Great Britain widened during the month of April.
UFU Beef and Lamb Policy
chairman, William Taylor, said farmers had hoped the 'price
differential' issue was a thing of the past.
"Our beef is being produced to the same UK standards and is being sold in the same UK market, so there has never been any justification for prices in Northern Ireland being lower than in other parts of the UK,'' he said.
"This is an issue which the UFU has repeatedly raised with meat plants and retailers and progress was being made as the gap had
narrowed.
"It is very worrying to see
the gap widen again during the month of April and it is something which the UFU will continue to highlight as an unacceptable
practise in the industry.
"If we are to have a long term
sustainable supply of local beef, then producers in Northern Ireland will have to be treated fairly.''
The UFU highlighted the fact that while average farmgate prices for Northern Ireland beef rose by seven pence per kilogram during April, prices in most GB regions rose by about 14-17 pence per
kilogram in the same period.
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