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GERMAN SUPERMARKET ALDI has said the ongoing beef dispute is causing availability issues with produce in its stores.
The chain has said that a full range of Irish beef and pork products will be available in all its stores but that some products have been processed at facilities in the UK.
Aldi has said that product notices will be placed in all its stores to make customers aware of the change and said that its range of products will still be quality approved by Bord Bia.
“In light of industry-wide availability issues, to ensure we have a full range of fresh beef and pork products for our customers, some of our Irish beef and pork suppliers have processed Irish beef and pork at their UK-based processing facilities, all of which are Quality Assured by Bord Bia,” an Aldi spokesperson said.
“This is clearly reflected on our products’ packaging. We have also placed notices in our stores to ensure our customers are fully aware of the situation.”
The issue comes as Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed attempts to engage with meat processors and farmers over the ongoing beef dispute.
At least one Eurospar retailer in Dublin has also warned customers that due to “the worsening situation at beef plants…we are unable to stock beef products at the moment.”
Talks between the government and Meat Industries Ireland (MII) broke down earlier this week with Creed saying at the time: “I am concerned that [these] events will only serve to entrench positions and risk prolonging this very damaging dispute”.
The row centres around the prices farmer are getting for cattle which are down on last year. The dispute has seen unofficial pickets by farmers at processing facilities around the country.
Meat Industry Ireland yesterday said that 3,000 people were laid off in the beef industry as a result of the beef dispute, sparking criticism from farmers who say the industry is now using the employees as leverage.
Speaking on Morning Ireland yesterday morning, IFA president Joe Healy made a call for the minister to step up his engagement.
“He definitely can’t wash his hand out of it. It’s very clear that every one of the processors needs the minister and the Department of Agriculture every day that they’re open, need the involvement of the Department so the minister has a grip over them,” he said.
The Department of Agriculture has said it is continuing to liaise with both meat processors and farmers in an effort to reach agreements to commence talks.
Till you and your likes decide to pay a decent price for the high quality produce you expect, you better get used of it!
@Bull McCabe: Problem is the EU trade deal with Brazil only means things will get worse.
@The long walk home☘️:
if that deal goes through!
Hopefully the recent massive torching of the Amazon will make people see sense.
Although money and greed will probably overcome that decision.
@Bull McCabe: American and Argentinian beef in the fridges of Lidl supermarkets in Burgas here.
@Dave Doyle: beef also produced by farmers who are in the same boat as Irish farmers.
One man controls the price of beef in the world! An Irishman! And guess where he has beef plants and establishing more!
@Bull McCabe: And pays little or no tax, also the subject of a long costly tribunal.
@Dave Doyle: you said it!
@The long walk home☘️: You don’t have to buy it
@Bull McCabe: Ireland imported 15 million tonnes of animal feed material in 2018. Where do you think that came from?
@Noel Doherty: in Ireland 2018 was an exceptionally bad year with weather. Harvests were poor.
If you had an animal would you feed it or let it die of the hunger?
@Bull McCabe: Till you and your likes get over your taxpayer subsidies, grants and other assorted handouts you had better expect to get used to it.
@Pat Farrelly: P.S. are you, by any chance related to the bullsh8t McCabes.
@Pat Farrelly: farmers don’t want the handouts but without them are u willing to pay three fold current price for produce
@Pat Farrelly: the only one talking bull$hit is you! Explain the taxpayer subsidies to us all.
It’s laughable how Bord Bia can approve “Irish” beef processed in a “Uk” abattoir.
The cartel plot thickens!
@Bull McCabe: Would have been processed in Northern Ireland?
If you’re looking for good quality meat at unbeatable prices,you shouldn’t look further than your local Craft Butcher. Every town in Ireland has one now,where they prepare and sell their produce from local suppliers. Their reputation depends on it,they sell mostly meat plus other accompaniments,and they depend on repeat business to survive. Therefore their product and service is top class,and value for money for top quality cuts is astounding. Support your local butcher,the difference in quality and value is amazing.
@Larry Betts: you’d actually have better traceability with super markets. Example being Turkey for Christmas, most source them from Poland while supermarkets are all bred in Ireland. Similar situation with pork.
@Larry Betts: Would like to support my local butchers but they’re too expensive, eg €13.50 for 1kg of stewing beef compared to €10 in the supermarket and €8-9 when it is on special which is every few weeks. Dont mind paying a bit extra but not 35% extra
People might realise now that they don’t need as much meat as they think and replace it with something else. And funnily enough it will be the farmers and the meet industry who has convinced them of this.
@Brian: or due to public discontent aldi and their fellow retailers may in fact realise that they can no longer screw the beef farmer and be forced to pay for top quality produce
@Brian: yeah they’ll replace it alright. With chicken or pork.
@Vestigal: or UK meat
@Brian: I eat meat because I like and enjoy it. Not only because I need it.
And I hope the major supermarkets understand that farmers and people who are both directly and indirectly employed by agriculture also shop in their stores.
@Bull McCabe: I remember a protest by farmers a few years back around the new Zealand lamb issue. Farmers picketed the supermarket for a few hours, and then most of them went inside to do their shopping.
@John Mulligan:John do you not see the problem in a New Zealand leg of lamb at the same price as an Irish leg of lamb, frozen of course. You can’t fly any longer in the world to any destination bar the South Pole and the shipping and refrigeration of that lamb has to be paid for somewhere! Guess who pays? In a world looking at cutting carbon emissions?
We are being taxed and panicked into buying electric cars and future proof our homes to reduce our carbon footprint whilst allowing sIfhips and planes to transport produce into our own country without a problem from thousands of miles away while it can be produced locally. Farming outside of the pale is the backbone of this little country and always has been!
Exactly – trying to cut down on red meat – won’t buy any beef lamb or pork until I know for certain that’s it’s processed in Ireland.
@Grainnewhale: go to your local butcher. They buy their meat from local farmers. Can’t get more Irish than that.
Give the FARMERS half of your exorbitant margins and you will get your supplies of top Quality Beef
Am I the only one who notices how filthy that shelf is?
28 day aged rib eye steak yum yum
I know next to nothing about farming or the beef industry but I will say that there was a pig farmer on Ear to the Ground last night who butchered and sold his own meat and made upwards of EUR300 per pig whereas he would only make EUR120 selling to market. He reckoned it was the difference between staying in business and not being able to continue. If that’s replicated with beef and the recent protests suggest that it is then there is no wonder that the farmers are up in arms.
@Sean: I always thought that an abattoir had to be licenced – was it for his own consumption?
@Sean: I saw that too, fair play to him.
In future all our “beef” will come from abroad. Time to re-run those “Who’s taking the horse to France?” ads again
@Larry Betts: Why do you say that?
@Larry Betts: Why would our beef come from abroad when we export around 70% of the beef we produce here?
Well I’ll have a burger tomorrow
While we’re here and on a more serious note who sells the best steaks Tesco, Aldi or Lidl
and which is the tastiest most succulent steak – The Sirloin, The Fillet steak, The Strip steak, The T-bone steak, The Rib eye steak, Flank steak, Minute steaks, Skirt steaks, Fillet steaks, any idea?
@Diogenes: ask your local, friendly,decent,helpful butcher.
@Diogenes: it’s a personal preference. I think the 30 day salt aged rib eye in Aldi is unbeatable for what I want. I find fattier marbled meat much more flavourful, I find fillets bland, most other off cuts better for slow cooking
Hope all of the killing stops – eat something else people!
@chiqey: No. Cows taste goooood.
@chiqey: what about the killing of rats around grain stores?
Jaysus that eurospar needs to clean it’s fridge
You should all become Vegetarian’s
If the farmers are producing the beef as they say below cost why dont they diversify like any good business. This tied and linked to the land is codswallop. Sadly they will be wiped out when south american beef floods the market
have your say