A mediator is needed to break the factory deadlock, president of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) Colm O’Donnell has said.
The call comes as a result of a stand-off between the Beef Plan movement, Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.
Beef Plan continues its picket line at factories around the country today, while MII presents the precondition to suspend protests prior to talks.
Minister Creed has also weighed in with the offer of roundtable talks, again on the condition of the temporary lifting of the picket.
The INHFA claims a professional mediator must be appointed immediately to meet all parties and set out terms of reference for talks to commence, as the current impasse is having a devastating impact.
Sheep
Colm O’Donnel feels “sheep farmers by default have become embroiled in the dispute, particularly in the northwest where you have the highest number of new-season lambs now fully fit for slaughter and in danger of falling out of factory specification on weight and fat score”.
Sheep farmers need to have access to the market without delay
“While these farmers continue to support and respect the picket, they need to have access to the market without delay.
"This is unacceptable given that sheep plants in other parts of the country are unaffected."
Read more
Beef Plan tells members not to break the law
Listen: Minister urges farmers off the picket line
Injunction ‘in coming days’ unless Beef Plan protests lifted - MII
A mediator is needed to break the factory deadlock, president of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) Colm O’Donnell has said.
The call comes as a result of a stand-off between the Beef Plan movement, Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.
Beef Plan continues its picket line at factories around the country today, while MII presents the precondition to suspend protests prior to talks.
Minister Creed has also weighed in with the offer of roundtable talks, again on the condition of the temporary lifting of the picket.
The INHFA claims a professional mediator must be appointed immediately to meet all parties and set out terms of reference for talks to commence, as the current impasse is having a devastating impact.
Sheep
Colm O’Donnel feels “sheep farmers by default have become embroiled in the dispute, particularly in the northwest where you have the highest number of new-season lambs now fully fit for slaughter and in danger of falling out of factory specification on weight and fat score”.
Sheep farmers need to have access to the market without delay
“While these farmers continue to support and respect the picket, they need to have access to the market without delay.
"This is unacceptable given that sheep plants in other parts of the country are unaffected."
Read more
Beef Plan tells members not to break the law
Listen: Minister urges farmers off the picket line
Injunction ‘in coming days’ unless Beef Plan protests lifted - MII
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