Thousands of farmers protest over beef prices

The first nationwide demonstrations at meat factories for almost 15 years began yesterday with thousands of farmers assembling at 30 meat plants around the country in support of IFA’s 24-hour beef price protest.

The protest began at 3pm on the bank holiday and is expected to cause disruption to slaughtering activities at abattoirs today. The protest comes as factories step up production to prepare for the traditional increase in demand coming up to Christmas.

IFA president Eddie Downey said farmers were angry at the €350 per head cattle price gap that had now opened up with our main export market in the UK. “Beef farmers have had a very tough year, and with our main markets now recovering strongly, they are not prepared to tolerate loss-making prices any longer,” he said.