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Factories have been called on by Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy to increase the base beef price offered to farmers as the final step to end protests.
Carthy said individual factories could bring the protests to an end and, with some flexibility, the process of rebuilding trust could begin.
“Farmers have never wanted to be on picket lines. They mounted protests because they were at breaking point,” Carthy said.
“Their actions have shone a spotlight on the inequalities in the market that they operate in.
"It was due to their resolve that the agreement reached at the weekend was finalised.
"Clearly, the meat industry went further than they had ever intended.”
Profitability
He added that factories were extremely profitable, while the same could not be said about their suppliers.
“The move to lay off workers and close down plants is nonsensical when a gesture on price will allow the full operations to return.
“It is imperative that meat factories increase the base prices offered and resolve this dispute now.”
Carthy said retailers could also assist by being imaginative with their price structures.
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