Members of the Beef Plan Movement held protests at 14 factories this week over beef prices, with demonstrations kicking off on Sunday evening outside ABP Bandon.Farmers protested at ABP Cahir, ABP Nenagh, ABP Bandon, ABP Rathkeale, Kepak Kilbeggan, Kepak Athleague, Liffey Meats Hackettstown, Liffey Meats Ballinasloe, Dawn Meats Rathdowney, Dawn Meats Grannagh, Dawn Meats Ballyhaunis, Dawn Meats Slane, Kildare Chilling and Slaney Foods.
Members of the Beef Plan Movement held protests at 14 factories this week over beef prices, with demonstrations kicking off on Sunday evening outside ABP Bandon.
Farmers protested at ABP Cahir, ABP Nenagh, ABP Bandon, ABP Rathkeale, Kepak Kilbeggan, Kepak Athleague, Liffey Meats Hackettstown, Liffey Meats Ballinasloe, Dawn Meats Rathdowney, Dawn Meats Grannagh, Dawn Meats Ballyhaunis, Dawn Meats Slane, Kildare Chilling and Slaney Foods.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that factories could see the national kill down by 25% this week, with some factories more affected than others.
Liffey Meats Ballinasloe, Dawn Ballyhaunis, ABP Nenagh and Dawn Meats Grannagh are among those whose intakes were most affected.
Beef Plan Movement members told the Irish Farmers Journal that it was a peaceful protest. Its members asked farmers and hauliers not to pass the picket lines to sell cattle to the factories. Some farmers turned away, while others passed the protestors to deliver cattle to the factories.
Farmer numbers continue to grow at the protests, with tension escalating on Tuesday and into Wednesday.
A spokesperson for Meat Industry Ireland (MII), the body representing the factories, said: “While processors are fully cognisant of the frustration of beef producers, protests which disrupt normal business operations and the orderly processing of cattle will do nothing to resolve the challenges in the marketplace.”
Gardaí were called to the scene of a number of protests, including those at ABP Bandon and ABP Cahir.
A Garda spokesperson said that gardaí attended the scene of the demonstration in Bandon, Co Cork, on Tuesday evening around 5pm.
“In order to aid traffic flow into the premises, gardaí assisted incoming vehicles by requesting that demonstrators move to the footpath. No arrests were made,” the spokesperson said.
Joint chair of the Beef Plan Movement Eamon Corley told the Irish Farmers Journal that another factory would be picketed on Wednesday evening.
“We’re appealing to all farmers and businesses to respect the picket. We’re doing our best to keep the protests peaceful.”
In response to reports of hauliers and farmers being harassed while trying to deliver cattle, Corley said: “We don’t condone people shouting at farmers. Some [Beef Plan members] have been abused by drivers.”
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