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<p> </p><p>Defra Ministers have been in regular contact with their colleagues in the
devolved administrations. My officials discuss and agree a negotiating position with
each of the devolved administrations prior to any EU discussions on the current unpredictability
of beef markets.</p><p><br></p><p>In July, I hosted a “beef summit”. This was a positive
meeting with senior representatives from across the UK’s food and farming industry,
including Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh farming industry bodies, to ensure that
we have a sustainable and profitable UK beef industry for the future. The outcomes
included the decision by producers and processors to work together on a voluntary
code of conduct on improving transparency of the charges that some abattoirs make
for handling carcases and notice periods for changes to product specifications. The
European Commission Short Term Outlook expects beef prices to remain firm although
below the 2013 record highs.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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