Ireland: Competition watchdog criticized for letter sent to Beef Plan

Ireland’s competition watchdog has come under criticism over a letter it sent to the Beef Plan Movement, in which the group was warned it may be in breach of consumer law, reported The Farmers Journal.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces competition and consumer protection law in Ireland and it wrote to the Beef Plan on Friday, August 9 after a fortnight of farmer protests outside factory gates.

The letter stated: “The CCPC is concerned that the Beef Plan Movement and its members could have engaged, or could be engaging, in conduct that potentially breaches provisions of the Competition Act 2002  (the “2002 Act”).”

The Beef Plan has suspended its protests pending talks with the Department of Agriculture and factory representatives, which took place on Monday, August 12.

Other farm organizations have reacted angrily to the CCPC’s letter. ICSA president Edmond Phelan slammed the threat of legal action by the watchdog against the Beef Plan in advance of Monday’s talks.

He said the CCPC had “some brass neck” terrorizing a group of farmers after it gave the green light to a takeover of the Slaney Group by ABP.