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Minister Michael Creed has urged farmers taking part in Beef Plan Movement protests to come off the picket line and take part in roundtable discussions.
Speaking to C103 and 96FM’s senior reporter Fiona Corcoran, the minister said: “This is a very difficult time for everybody. It’s not a natural environment for beef farmers to be picketing.
“They have made that statement very well. The next logical step is to sit down.
“Come off the picket line now and sit down around the table.”
He said that roundtable discussions would include all farm organisation, including the Beef Plan and representatives from Meat Industry Ireland (MII).
Tullamore Show
Minister Creed also confirmed that he was still intending to attend Tullamore Show despite rumours that the Beef Plan was advising its members to boycott the show if he was present.
He said that he had a long-standing invitation to the show and added: “I’ve never hidden from farm organisations. I like to sit down with them in a civilised fashion.”
The minister said that he had seen the 13 points raised by the Beef Plan and that he appreciated the issues raised by the Beef Plan.
“I’d really appeal to the Beef Plan to come off the picket now and come into the roundtable discussions that we’ve organised,” he concluded.
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