Sheep farmers to continue protests

Sheep farmers who have been protesting outside meat processing plants over lamb price cuts are to continue with their action round the clock this weekend.

Oireachtas Agriculture Committee chairman Johnny Brady said the protests are costing farmers and the industry millions of euro.

“We need to find a solution, and immediately. A situation may soon arise, where suppliers will begin to look elsewhere for the lamb supply, which will have a very negative effect on the industry across the board,” he said.

Mr Brady said he had spoken with Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan and impressed upon her the need to persuade all sides to sit down and resolve this matter.

Farmers are protesting outside Kepak plants in Athleague,

Co Roscommon and Hacketstown, Co Carlow; Irish Country Meats plants in Camolin, Co Wexford and Navan, Co Meath; Dawn Meats plant in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo and the Kildare Chilling plant in Kildare.

IFA president John Dillon said sheep farmers have told him the protests are to continue into next week.

“This revolt by sheep farmers demonstrates their determination to stop the factories from destroying their incomes through unnecessary lamb price cuts,” he said.

Meat Industry Ireland, representing the processors, earlier accused the IFA of orchestrating the protest action which, it said, was inflicting serious damage on the entire sheep sector.

“Customers for Irish lamb are now sourcing product elsewhere and our credibility as suppliers of fresh quality lamb is being damaged, said an MII spokesperson.