Meat Industry Ireland (MII) has said that meat processors understand farmers’ frustration with lamb prices.

However, it added that “disruption of processing operations will not help the situation”.

Reacting to the ongoing protest by farmers outside the Kepak Athleague plant, a spokesman for MII said: “Continued weaker demand for lamb in key continental markets due to lower consumption levels, coupled with very competitively priced UK lamb in the marketplace, is behind the deterioration of lamb prices here in recent weeks.

Frustration

“Processors understand the frustration of farmers with these price falls, but it is reflective of what is happening in the market.

"While market returns are disappointing at present, disruption of processing operations will not help the situation.”

Dozens of farmers have been blockading the Athleague plant since Sunday afternoon, preventing deliveries of live animals and the departure of meat products.

Some 250 cattle and 1,000 lambs were prevented from entering the plant this morning.

The protest by the ICSA has been joined by representatives of the INHFA and the Beef Plan Movement during the day.