Row at Department of Agriculture may hit supply of local meat

AN industrial dispute involving clerical staff in local offices of the Department of Agriculture and Food looks set to escalate.

The row over promotional outlets has already disrupted services to farmers, and is now posing a threat to meat and lamb supplies to butcher shops in some areas.

Members of the Civil and Public Service Union placed pickets on local offices in Limerick, Galway, Mayo and Kerry over a week ago, after the Department removed 150 staff in these counties from the payroll.