Meat industry working ‘under protest’

Open for business, but working under protest was the message of Meat Industry Ireland as the Department of Agriculture withdrew cattle grading staff at processing plants ahead of mechanical systems being fully installed.

The Department said the move was in accordance with an agreed timetable with the industry and unions. It said it had trained factory staff to a high standard in carcass grading and will maintain a supervisory role in the plants, which should reassure the factories and farmers on any concerns they might have.

IFA, ICMSA and ICSA leaders had called on the Department to retain staff in the factories until the mechanical grading machines are fully operational.