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By 11pm on bank holiday Monday, there were 25 cattle farmers at the gates of Meadow Meats, Rathdowney, Co Laois, and they were geared up for the night ahead.
They had a cattle trailer to shelter in if it rained and a fire going in a barrel should it get cold.
This protest was peaceful with no deliveries of livestock happening at this time and no Garda presence. The farmers were relatively relaxed. Earlier in the day, the crowd had been 120 farmer protesters, Seán Sherman, a farmer protesting, said.
“No livestock came here today, Monday, or have come here tonight,” he said. He didn’t know if the factory planned to kill on Tuesday: “There’s no communication or engagement.”
'Industry is in tatters'
“We’re here as ordinary farmers. We’re trying to make a statement that the industry is in tatters. It’s regrettable that we’re here when other families are on holidays with their children. We’re in chaos and we’re under savage pressure.
"A real concern is that we’re not getting engagement from the industry. I’d appeal to Meat Industry Ireland to engage with farmers so that farmers can produce what’s required and get a reasonable margin. We’re not getting any margin at the moment – industry management know that.
“We’re producing under quality assurance so why are there rules about three movements, 70 days' residency and age limits? Reducing price can’t be the solution to every problem. Prices for all other products and inputs are going up," he said.
Lisduff farmer James Scully explained why he is protesting: “I just want to make money from cattle farming.”
He buys in heifers and sells them as stores and he kills cull cows. “Farmers need a base, minimum price,” he said.
Price rise
Ballacolla farmer Des Shirley said: “I’m here because prices are so bad; €3.50/kg is unbelievable. A price rise would sort everything out. We don’t need a fortune, just enough to cover our costs.”
Coolrain suckler farmer William Bergin said he was protesting about cattle prices. “Larry Goodman is taking control of the sector and all its profits. All our beef is fully traceable. What about that imported meat?”
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