Some farmers are refusing to leave the factory gates unless a new group, the Independent Farmers of Ireland, is invited to join Monday’s crunch beef talks.

Four people – Alison De Vere Hunt, Maggie Delahunty, Ger Gough and Pat Kirwan – were elected by farmers from a number of factory protests last week.

Representation

Those farmers do not believe any of the farm organisations expected to attend Monday’s talks represent their point of view, including the Beef Plan Movement.

The four met with Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed on Thursday evening, where they outlined the position of farmers they represent and requested to join the planned talks.

“Although the Minister stated that he did not believe this to be possible, it is of paramount importance that our elected spokespersons are present at any beef industry stakeholder discussions to be the voice for the men and women currently at the factory gates,” a statement from the Independent Farmers of Ireland read on Friday night.

Escalating

With protests and blockades remaining in place at some factories and escalating into bigger blockades in others, the group seems resolute.

“The message from the factory gates today is very clear!” the statement read.

“Unless the Independent Farmers of Ireland are represented by the three aforementioned spokespersons on Monday in Backweston, they feel their voice won’t be heard and these talks won’t resolve the real issues. They are not leaving the factory gates without a fair and equitable resolution to their income crisis.”

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