Enda Fingleton, one of two men appointed to represent the Beef Plan Movement in talks with factories, has said it will only enter negotiations with Meat Industry Ireland when there are no preconditions attached.
Fingleton, south eastern chair of the Beef Plan Movement, wrote to Cormac Healy of Meat Industry Ireland on Tuesday morning.
In the email, the Laois farmer said the Beef Plan was willing to discuss any meaningful proposal from the factories.
He said that for a constructive conversation to take place, any such proposal should detail how MII members intend to ensure Beef Plan Movement members are paid a fair percentage of the retail price for the beef they supply.
Beef Plan Movement members, he wrote, do not think that what they are paid currently is a fair percentage of the retail price.
Willingness to engage
On Thursday, MII said it had written to the Beef Plan Movement stating its willingness to engage with its leadership in a constructive manner.
However, it said it would not do so while the protests and disruption continue.
MII also condemned the behaviour of some Beef Plan protesters at some sites, saying it was “unacceptable abuse and intimidation of fellow farmer suppliers, company employees, Government-assigned veterinarians and other service providers including hauliers".
Responding, Fingleton told the Irish Farmers Journal: “We are concerned about safety and lorries driving at speed.
“We have one hospitalised and at least three more struck with vehicles entering factories,” he stated.
“We should engage but with no preconditions,” the Laois man added.
Going out of business
He warned that the knock-on effect of beef farmers going out of business would be felt by feed merchants, accountants, electricians, contractors and many more.
“They will lose a fortune if their customers – farmers – go out of business,” he said.
He has messaged Beef Plan members in his region urging them to contact the dairy farmers they buy calves from, their vets, their merchants, straw suppliers, grain suppliers and more to seek support for the ongoing Beef Plan protest.
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‘Unacceptable abuse and intimidation of fellow farmer suppliers’ – factories
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Watch: IFA storm EU food and vet centre in Co Meath
Enda Fingleton, one of two men appointed to represent the Beef Plan Movement in talks with factories, has said it will only enter negotiations with Meat Industry Ireland when there are no preconditions attached.
Fingleton, south eastern chair of the Beef Plan Movement, wrote to Cormac Healy of Meat Industry Ireland on Tuesday morning.
In the email, the Laois farmer said the Beef Plan was willing to discuss any meaningful proposal from the factories.
He said that for a constructive conversation to take place, any such proposal should detail how MII members intend to ensure Beef Plan Movement members are paid a fair percentage of the retail price for the beef they supply.
Beef Plan Movement members, he wrote, do not think that what they are paid currently is a fair percentage of the retail price.
Willingness to engage
On Thursday, MII said it had written to the Beef Plan Movement stating its willingness to engage with its leadership in a constructive manner.
However, it said it would not do so while the protests and disruption continue.
MII also condemned the behaviour of some Beef Plan protesters at some sites, saying it was “unacceptable abuse and intimidation of fellow farmer suppliers, company employees, Government-assigned veterinarians and other service providers including hauliers".
Responding, Fingleton told the Irish Farmers Journal: “We are concerned about safety and lorries driving at speed.
“We have one hospitalised and at least three more struck with vehicles entering factories,” he stated.
“We should engage but with no preconditions,” the Laois man added.
Going out of business
He warned that the knock-on effect of beef farmers going out of business would be felt by feed merchants, accountants, electricians, contractors and many more.
“They will lose a fortune if their customers – farmers – go out of business,” he said.
He has messaged Beef Plan members in his region urging them to contact the dairy farmers they buy calves from, their vets, their merchants, straw suppliers, grain suppliers and more to seek support for the ongoing Beef Plan protest.
Read more
‘Unacceptable abuse and intimidation of fellow farmer suppliers’ – factories
Farmers at war with factories
Watch: IFA storm EU food and vet centre in Co Meath
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