Farmers to protest outside factory

Marts: The heavy weekend rain brought out large supplies of cattle to the factories yesterday, leading to pressure on prices, which has drawn the wrath of producers.

Farmers will protest outside the Kepak factory at Athleague, Co Roscommon, this afternoon in what could be the first shot in a bitter autumn battle by producers against the processors, claiming that any further lowering of prices is unjustified.

Several factories did not quote for cattle yesterday as they tested the temperament of producers for acceptance of a further lowering of prices.

Dawn Meats at Midleton quoted prices unchanged from last week at 94p-90p/lb for R/O grades for yesterday’s kill without commitment to maintain the price through the week. Exel Meats at Kilbeggan and sister factory Newgrange Meats, at Navan quoted 93p-90p/lb for R/O grades with up to 96p/lb for Us. Some of the other factories bought cattle at 93p-89p/lb from producers who needed to sell, while Kepak at Athleague quoting producers 93p-89p/lb has drawn the wrath of producers who will protest outside the factory after management refused to reinstate prices at 94p-90p/lb at a meeting with the IFA yesterday.

Deputy president Ruaidhrí Deasy following a meeting with management at the factory yesterday said: “There is no justification for Kepak Athleague pulling beef prices below 2.63/kg (94p/lb) for R grades and 2.52/kg (90 p/lb) for O grades"

He said there was a solid British market for 250,000 tonnes of Irish beef this year.”