Up to 80 homeless people have already been tested for Covid-19 but those behind the initiative have warned that quicker results would allow them to stay ahead of the curve regarding those in emergency accommodation.

Kepak will deliver beef, lamb, pork and chicken products to Simon Community locations across Dublin, Cork and Limerick once a week for 12 months, enough for more than 30,000 meals.

It makes the Co Meath based company the first European meat processor to be awarded United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval.

Kepak’s announcement came as protesters were urged to call off the demonstrations at factory gates that has hit beef production.

A Chinese delegation has visited a meat plant in Co. Roscommon.

Meat processors continued legal efforts to stop protests at their facilities, with Meat Industry Ireland admitting that some export markets have not be served in recent days due to the blockages at processing facilities.

Peadar Toibin, the Meath West TD, stood up in the public gallery during the call-over of cases and said he wished to inform the court that some named defendants had not been served with and had no knowledge of the proceedings against them

A visiting Chinese delegation inspecting Irish meat-processing plants may witness a stand-off at one facility today after efforts to broker a temporary lifting of the picket were rejected.

The order was granted in favour of Liffey Meats, which owns and operates plants outside Ballinasloe in Co Roscommon, Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan and Hackettstown in Co Carlow.

The Government has been urged to directly intervene in the beef price crisis amid escalating court actions and wildcat protests outside processing facilities around the country.

With some protesters continuing to defy court injunctions some processors sought to obtain attachment and committal orders that could lead to farmers involved in protest action being arrested.

The owner of several meat factories has told the High Court that protests at one of its processing plants have escalated since it secured an injunction restraining the blockading of their factories and the intimidation of staff and suppliers.

The ongoing disagreement over beef pricing shows no sign of resolution as farmers reject the Government’s offer of talks.

Members of the Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers’ Association have led two days of price-related protests outside Kepak outside Kepak Athleague, Co Roscommon.

John Daly looks at the incredible tale of how FoodCloud ha ensured 50 million meals have gone to people and not to waste.

Students have been chosen from five schools to rear Irish Angus calves for 18 months in the Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools Competition.

Farmers have welcomed the launch of Glanbia Ireland and Kepak’s new Twenty20 Beef Club, offering members a guaranteed market for their heifers and steers.

Your lunchtime headlines.

The prospect of the UK not reaching a deal on its departure from the EU has risen in recent weeks, amid tight votes at Westminster and Brussels, expressing opposition to UK prime minister, Theresa May’s latest proposals on customs.

A quality controller suing a meat company for a back injury withdrew his case yesterday, after the judge gave the parties time for a further examination of videos of the plaintiff’s activities.

A quality controller suing a meat company for a back injury was shown on video carrying a fridge and furniture at car boot sales.

Increasing live cattle exports is still seen by farmers as the primary way to boost Ireland’s beef sector.

Thirteen Irish food companies are among just 143 businesses internationally to score top-rated three-star recognition at the renowned annual Great Taste Awards in Britain.

The Agricultural Science Association (ASA) hosted its annual conference in Kilkenny last week and in so doing underlined the energy that exists within Ireland’s agri-food industry.

In any GAA table quiz worth its salt around Meath, a couple of old chestnuts will invariably crop up.

Members of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) are taking part in a 48-hour demonstration, which began yesterday, at 14 plants around the country.

A 48-hour protest outside meat factories is getting underway this afternoon.

Meat giant Kepak hired a surveillance firm to "spy" at weekends on a worker who had logged a number of grievances against the firm.

Firebrand butcher Jack O’Shea is to open his first Irish steakhouse in Brussels before the end of March — by which time he hopes to have settled his public spat with celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal.

An investigation is being carried out into a minor leak of ammonia at a meat processing plant in Co Cork.