Irish Livestock Markets and the Marketing of Irish Beef

1. ICOS Presentation to The Beef Forum 12/7/2017 Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS)

2. Irish Livestock Markets • Traditionally and currently a livestock trading nation. • 139,000 farms in Ireland • 110,000 have cattle (83,000 breeding herds) • Marts located in 90 centres the majority of which are in county towns from Inishowen to Skibbereen. • Auction market system used throughout Ireland for over 60 years • 1.72 million cattle traded through marts (2016) • Irish livestock mart turnover Approx €1.2B • Live exports are vital to the mart sector. Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS)

3. AIM data • AIM designed for use by DAFM to monitor cattle movements in the event of disease outbreaks • Other EU countries do not allow third parties to access all prior movement data. • 7 days to notify AIM of all changes of keeper • AIM data now used as a trade distorting measure by retailers and/or factories. • Multiple moves now occur due to AIM interpretation of agents/dealers/B and B etc. • This information is not a negative quality parameter • Illustrates positive Irish beef quality as cattle move to higher levels of nutrition • Cattle move to maximise grass inclusion in their diets –increased CLA content • Single farm moves to feedlots negates Irish/green image Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS)

4. QPS – A trade distortion ? • Animals from a BQAS farm, less than 30 months less than 4 residencies and must have 70 continuous days on last farm • Bord Bia scheme only stipulates 70 days on one or more BQAS farms • Bord Bia reflects the unique Irish production requires cattle moving multiple times – no limit on movements • Retailers have requirements but movement criteria is a trade issue not quality – Anti trade ? • Slaughtering where cattle had four keepers or less and resided in the final herd for <70 days • Males:   88%, Heifers:  87% and Cows:   76% Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS)

5. Marketing of Irish beef Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) Based on origin green Grass based, extensive, family farms. 110,000 farms dispersed from Malin to Mizen head Irish beef comes from Irish cattle and Irish rearing methods Cattle movement always part of Irish cattle rearing Western suckler calves finished in midlands and East Southern dairy/beef calves moved to midlands and East Multiple moves now occur due to AIM interpretation of agents/dealers/B and B etc. Sales of Irish beef means Irish rearing not UK based feedlot production Why sell Irish beef quality based on a UK production model to a UK retailer? 5

6. Meat quality issues ? • RTE 1 5th December 2016 10 things to know about beef and beer • Irish cattle sought after by chefs because of grass diet and extensive production methods resulting in tender , quality meat. • Dr Paul Allen from Teagasc Astown quoted “ 75% of meat tenderness attributed to handling of meat after slaughter” • Main factors on meat tenderness are having a slow chilling process, hanging for at least 14 days and method of hanging (pelvis versus leg) • No reference to requiring 70 days pre slaughter to increase meat quality or reducing movements. Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS)

7. Positive beef roundtable mart outcomes • AIM movement data access should be only visible to the DAFM • Movement and residency should only be based on Bord Bia BQAS standards • No movement penalties • Residency should be cumulative 70 days not continuous • Over 30 months reduces grass intake and our marketing advantage - 36 months maximises this • Live export destinations need greater marketing budget allocations • The government needs to address potential competition issues with meat processors controlling meat plants, offal rendering and now feedlots Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS)