Protesting farmers from across the country met on Monday evening [1 September] to select national representatives.
The Independent Farmers of Ireland have invited three delegates from each of the groups protesting at over a dozen processing plants around the country to this evening's meeting, which is being held in the midlands.
The meeting will democratically elect three national representatives, who will represent farmers at any future roundtable talks.
Structure
One of the critical issues since factory gate protests resumed last week is the lack of a coherent representative structure among protesting farmers.
When injuncted farmers appeared in the High Court last Friday, some availed of the IFA's offer for legal counsel. Others retained their own legal counsel.
Representatives from the IFA, Beef Plan Movement and ICSA were all present in court.
Protesting farmers at Bandon nominated the Beef Plan Movement to speak for them last week when negotiating a deal to facilitate a Chinese delegation.
However, the lack of a national and coherent voice representing protesters is seen as one reason factories remain reluctant to engage in talks.
Talks
Following the previous round of protests, talks with the Beef Plan Movement, IFA, ICSA, ICMSA, INHFA, Macra, ICOS and Meat Industry Ireland resulted in limited progress.
Despite all the above farm organisations being opposed to protests, farmers were back at gates four days later, under the banner of the Independent Farmers of Ireland group.
This latest development may see a pathway to the resumption of talks.
A statement from Independent Farmers of Ireland reads: “These representatives will be able to sit at the negotiating table with the full backing of all protesters and facilitate any proposal that is reached.
"Going forward, we will have three spokespersons available at all times to attempt to bring this stalemate to an end and achieve the original goal of this protest – the survival of the sustainable Irish family farm."
Read more
Man arrested at factory protest outside Ballyjamesduff
Beef prices: stop-start trade resumes
Legal explainer: what do court injunctions mean for protesters?
Chinese inspection to Kepak Athleague cancelled
Protesting farmers from across the country met on Monday evening [1 September] to select national representatives.
The Independent Farmers of Ireland have invited three delegates from each of the groups protesting at over a dozen processing plants around the country to this evening's meeting, which is being held in the midlands.
The meeting will democratically elect three national representatives, who will represent farmers at any future roundtable talks.
Structure
One of the critical issues since factory gate protests resumed last week is the lack of a coherent representative structure among protesting farmers.
When injuncted farmers appeared in the High Court last Friday, some availed of the IFA's offer for legal counsel. Others retained their own legal counsel.
Representatives from the IFA, Beef Plan Movement and ICSA were all present in court.
Protesting farmers at Bandon nominated the Beef Plan Movement to speak for them last week when negotiating a deal to facilitate a Chinese delegation.
However, the lack of a national and coherent voice representing protesters is seen as one reason factories remain reluctant to engage in talks.
Talks
Following the previous round of protests, talks with the Beef Plan Movement, IFA, ICSA, ICMSA, INHFA, Macra, ICOS and Meat Industry Ireland resulted in limited progress.
Despite all the above farm organisations being opposed to protests, farmers were back at gates four days later, under the banner of the Independent Farmers of Ireland group.
This latest development may see a pathway to the resumption of talks.
A statement from Independent Farmers of Ireland reads: “These representatives will be able to sit at the negotiating table with the full backing of all protesters and facilitate any proposal that is reached.
"Going forward, we will have three spokespersons available at all times to attempt to bring this stalemate to an end and achieve the original goal of this protest – the survival of the sustainable Irish family farm."
Read more
Man arrested at factory protest outside Ballyjamesduff
Beef prices: stop-start trade resumes
Legal explainer: what do court injunctions mean for protesters?
Chinese inspection to Kepak Athleague cancelled
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