Meat factories say farmers’ protest is ‘misguided’

The Irish Farmers Association’s plan for a 24-hour protest outside meat factories next Monday has been described by meat processors as “unnecessary, misguided and counterproductive”.

IFA president Eddie Downey said the protest was being held because farmer anger over cattle prices was boiling over. He said they were now receiving €350 per head less for cattle than their counterparts in the UK.

However, Meat Industry Ireland, the Ibec group that represents the factories, said the action would only serve to disrupt business and damage Ireland's export reputation, without having any impact on European beef prices.

“Cattle prices are strengthening and the trend from the market is positive,” a spokesman for the group said.

He said that while Irish cattle prices were weaker this year, prices across the EU have fallen.

“This is a direct result of a significant drop in EU beef consumption, which has fallen by 700,000 tonnes since 2010. Notwithstanding this, Irish beef production is up 20 per cent year on year,” he said.

The protest will begin at 3pm on the bank holiday and is expected to cause disruption to the factories’ kill on Tuesday. The protest comes as factories ramp up activity to prepare for the pre-Christmas spike in demand.