Two of Ireland's leading farming organisations have issued grave warnings about the future of the beef sector.
The IFA says the industry, which is of paramount importance in Clare, is in the midst of it's worst ever crisis while the ICSA says the very future of the suckler herd is under threat.
A Bord Bia beef expert told an IFA meeting in Navan last night that the typical price being paid by factories for Irish beef is now about €3.62 per kilo, down from €4.20 this time last year.
That means that farmers are down about 200 euro for each animal sold, and thus are operating at a significant loss.
The ICSA says the cuts are so severe that farmers' livelihoods are now under threat – their General Secretary is Cratloe's Eddie Punch.
Last night's IFA meeting also heard from a representative of the Dunbia meat group, who said the current crisis is a direct result from last year's horse meat scandal which resulted in British retailers buying more British beef.
He also said those same retailers are now lowering the age limit for bull calf beef, a move which could exacerbate current issues.
Eddie Punch also says many farmers are growing increasingly frustrated at the Quality Assurance Scheme, which aim to guarantee a minimum standard for Irish beef.
He's questioning whether the entire system needs to be overhauled or even scrapped altogether.
