Abstract
This article examines the controversy around the marketing of Irish beef up to Ireland’s entry into the EEC in 1973. The internal industry wrangle simmered from the birth of the modern processing industry in the 1950s but burst into life following the collapse in beef farmer incomes in the late 1960s. The article will explore how the Department of Agriculture and successive ministers for agriculture sought to navigate a middle line between the conflicting positions of the farm organisations and meat factory owners. While the National Farmers’ Association (NFA) and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) consistently called for centralised marketing of beef, the associations had on occasion sought Government support for a more ambitious intervention package which included guaranteed beef prices for farmers. In contrast, the meat factories were adamant that the selling of beef should remain their responsibility. They maintained that the responsibilities of any national marketing body be limited to promotions. The article will assess the impact of these contrasting positions on beef sector policy, and ultimately on the structure and remit of the marketing body Córas Beostoic agus Feola (CBF) which was established in 1969. Moreover, it explores the extent to which meat marketing was a test of strength for the farm organisations and the meat processor lobby; and examines its significance in this context.
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Recommended Citation
O'Brien, Declan
(2025)
"The battle to brand and market Irish beef—1950–73,"
European Journal of Food Drink and Society:
Vol. 5:
Iss.
1, Article 9.
Available at:
https://arrow.tudublin.ie/ejfds/vol5/iss1/9