Processors blame weakened market as farmers protest at cut in livestock prices

FARMERS last night warned they cannot continue to produce beef at a loss as they ended a 24 hour protest.

The farmers staged protests outside 27 beef processing plants across the country. The livestock producers decided to take action at a meeting in Abbeyleix last week, after voicing anger at the way the meat factories had cut cattle prices.

However, Meat Industry Ireland (MII), representing the processors, said markets for Irish beef have weakened and this has resulted in a significant fall in the value of the carcass.