Farmers to protest over falling prices
The farmer protests will take place at all meat plants across the country commencing on Sunday at 4.30pm and concluding Monday afternoon.
IFA deputy president Ruaidhri Deasy said there is anger among cattle farmers at the way the meat factories have cut cattle prices.
“Farmers have decided to take action and next Monday will be a full day of protest on cattle prices at every meat plant in the country,” he said.
Mr Deasy said the factories have pulled cattle prices by a massive 34c/kg (12p/lb) or €112 per head since July. With decoupling, farmers are not prepared to allow the factories take their premium payments.
IFA Livestock Committee chairman John Bryan said the latest price cuts are a clear move to widen their margin. Cattle prices in the British market, which will take up to 250,000t of Irish beef this year, are strong.
There was a strong call at the Abbeyleix meeting that farmers should not be selling under-finished cattle to factories, considering the strong trade in the marts.
However, Cormac Healy, of Meat Industry Ireland, representing processors, said it is essential every effort is made to ensure the orderly marketing of finished cattle. The sharp rise in finished cattle numbers coincides with a period of unexpectedly poor demand for beef.
“While the short-term prognosis is for a continued difficult market environment, the outlook for next spring is more encouraging,” he said.
