Minister urged to solve cattle price dispute

AFTER some 200 hours of farmer protests outside meat processing plants, there was no sign this week of settlement in the cattle price row.

Farmers protested at five plants last Sunday night AIBP at Cahir and Nenagh; Dawn Meats at Grannagh in Waterford and Rathdowney, Co Laois; and Kepak at Athleague, Co Roscommon. The protest continued around the clock until Tuesday afternoon.

Fine Gael called on Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh to mediate. Agriculture spokesman Billy Timmins, TD, said escalation would stop the slaughter of 40,000 cattle and could cost the economy 2 million per week.