Camera and question: what do farmers think of ABP's deal with Slaney?

Joe O’Brien, Oylegate, with father Tom and son James

On ABP buying into Slaney Foods: I don’t think it’s good. Larry Goodman will have too much of a monopoly. The competition authority has always taken a strong line with farmers. It might be a different story with Larry – we’ll see.

On IFA levies: I’m still paying levies, I’d be slow to stop them. I’ll wait to see what the new president is like first. At the end of the day, we need a union to represent farmers, especially with the likes of Goodman getting bigger all the time.

John Doyle, Tomsilla, Gorey

On ABP buying into Slaney Foods: It can’t do the trade any favours. It’s taking away any bit of competition that’s there at the minute. It’s sad to see the Slaney Foods sale, it’s the end of an era of local ownership. I don’t know if the competition authority will do anything about it. They seem to be very quick to move against farmers when we try to fight for better prices.

On IFA levies: I stopped my levies ages ago. I didn’t see that I was getting much for them. There’s such a small return on cattle that I need every euro I can get for them.

Willie Heffernan, Kilcotty, Enniscorthy

On ABP buying into Slaney Foods: I tend to sell mostly at the mart. At least you can decide on the day if you want to take the price you’re getting. In the factory, they’re hanging before you know what you’re going to get. I’d rather see the factories have to come into the mart and buy cattle. There’s not much competition as it is, and Larry Goodman buying Slaney Meats won’t help.

On IFA levies: I’ll still pay my levies, but it needs sorting out. They have been caught out, but it’s no different than what we’ve seen in other organisations.