Farmers extend meat factory price protests

Farmers have extended pickets to more meat-processing plants this morning, in protest at plummeting meat prices.

Eleven plants nationwide are now being picketed after pickets were lifted from five plants early last week.

IFA president Mr John Dillon said last week the association would wage an intensive campaign to secure viable prices for livestock farmers.

"Cattle farmers are determined to expose the unjustified beef price cuts of the last eight to 10 weeks by the factories and secure a reasonable return for their livestock," he said.

The Irish Meat Association (IMA), which represents meat processors, accused the IFA of misleading farmers into believing artificially high cattle prices can be sustained.