Sheep farmers picket meat plants in row over lamb prices

Sheep farmers are due to continue picketing six meat factories throughout Ireland today as part of a protest against reductions in lamb prices.

The protests began yesterday evening outside meat reprocessing plants in Navan, Kildare, Ballyhaunis, Camolin, Athleague and Hacketstown.

The Irish Farmers Association claims the factories have reduced the price they pay for spring lamb by up to €1 per kilogram (or €20 per lamb) over the past two weeks.