Sheep farmers reach agreement
There were also reports that sheep farmers had reached agreement with Kildare Chilling which resulted in that company re-opening its factory in Kildare for both cattle and sheep.
Other sheep farmers are, however, continuing with their 24-hour protests outside three other meat processing plants over a drop in lamb prices, having earlier spelled out what they want - namely a rise in returns to €4.80 per kg.
IFA president John Dillon said the strong stance taken by sheep farmers in defence of their livelihoods over the last week had put down a marker that there was only so much they could take.
Laurence Fallon, IFA Sheep Committee chairman, said sheep farmers have removed their protest at both the ICM factories and the company has agreed with local suppliers to pay a base price of €4.75/kg plus 6c/kg bonus for U grades into next week.
The agreement also covers hoggets at the same price level, which applied prior to the protest.
He said he understood that sheep farmers had also reached agreement with Kildare Chilling which resulted in that company re-opening its factory in Kildare for both cattle and sheep.
The company had agreed with local suppliers to pay a base price of €4.75/kg plus 5.6c/kg bonus for U and E grades and the same price for hoggets, which applied prior to the protest.
