A number of Irish beef factories did not slaughter cattle yesterday and cancelled processing on Monday as the Irish Farmers' Association claimed its refusal to sell animals below certain prices had "turned the tide on cattle prices."
The action, which is in effect a boycott, began last Wednesday when producers meeting in Carlow decided they would not sell at less than €2.66 per kg for quality animals and €2.52 for plainer cattle.
The IFA's livestock committee chairman, Mr Derek Deane, claimed yesterday that some factories had paid €2.60 a kilo for a mixture of grades of cattle and other factories were offering €2.58 for top-grade animals and the target price of €2.52 for plainer animals.
Mr Deane said that the tide was turning in favour of the producers as supplies were extremely scarce and he urged farmers to "dig in" and hold out for the target prices.
Factories, he said, would have to increase prices to the minimum base level on Monday.
Mr John Smith of the Irish Meat Association, representing the factories, said international demand for beef was slow, especially in Britain, which was importing beef from the Continent and Argentina.
"The lines are closed and will remain closed in some factories because factories are refusing to buy cattle at the prices being demanded," he said.
The Fine Gael spokesman on agriculture, Mr Alan Dukes, came out in support of the farmers and said they were making serious losses at present prices.