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A Sligo based high ranking official of a new national farming body has backed calls for the immediate appointment of a beef ombudsman or regulator.
The appointment of such a position was discussed the Dáil this week.
The Minister for Agriculture, Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue is believed to be favouring the appointment of an ombudsman while farming groups say a regulator would be entitled to greater powers of investigation.
It’s widely accepted in agricultural circles more transparency is needed within the factory pricing system.
Sligo Farmer Gerard Pilkington is the national vice chairman of the recently re-branded Irish Beef and Lamb Association.
He says an appointment has to be ratified before the start of November: