Offer to hold talks is shot down as cattle prices fall

AN offer of formal negotiations between the IFA and beef processors to solve the worsening protest impasse at beef factories has been shot down as prices for over-age cattle come under severe pressure.

Before a farmer protest at five factories from this evening, last night the IMA were asked by the IFA to stand back from central representation of the meat factories and allow for official talks with individual factories on cattle prices.

Bord Bia has also been asked by Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association president Pat O'Rourke to convene an "urgent, high-level meeting" of farm organisations and meat processors to solve the dispute, now in its fifth week.