AIPB plants to resume slaughtering after protests

SLAUGHTERING at six meat factories will resume today after coming to a halt yesterday as farmers protested over cattle prices. The protests outside the AIBP Goodman plants at Nenagh, Cahir, Bandon, Rathkeale and Clones were suspended last evening, but the Irish Farmers' Association warned it has plans in place for further action if cattle prices do not rise.

The IFA said meat factories had cut cattle prices five times by 95 per head over the last 10 weeks, despite strong exports, high prices in British and European markets and increased access to the Russian market. It said Irish male cattle prices are now the lowest in Europe.

However, the Irish Meat Association, representing processors, said that despite difficulties in finding enough outlets for an increased volume of beef, the average price paid for cattle this year is about 2% higher than last year.