Farmers who have been protesting outside ABP in Cahir, Co Tipperary, have voted to remain there.

The vote in favour of remaining on the picket was carried by 31 votes to 23, after a meeting heard details of the document produced after more than 36 hours of talks in Agriculture House.

Close to 100 farmers gathered in Cahir House on Monday night to hear from Alison de Vere Hunt, who was one of three people representing Independent Farmers of Ireland at the talks.

Independent Farmers in Cahir vote to remain at picket.

The crowd heard arguments from the floor and the top table both for and against the document, which includes additional bonus payments for cattle aged under 30 months, new bonuses for cattle aged over 36 months, and those of O- and fat score 4+ that were not previously eligible for bonuses.

Emotion

Emotions ran high on the night, with clear division between some farmers who remain aligned with the Beef Plan Movement and others who felt they were abandoned at the gate when the first legal action was taken against named farmers.

The crowd included around 20 farmers who have been protesting at other factory gates, including Kepak Ennis and Dawn Charleville.

Those farmers stepped out of the room for the vote by Cahir-based protesters.

Some of those who remained in the room did not cast a vote, which was conducted by a show of hands.

Some farmers questioned what the alternative plan of action would be if they were to leave the gate, while others questioned the details of the weekend agreement and the possible strength of the proposed beef task force.

Distrust

The level of distrust among farmers towards the factories was extremely evident, while the Beef Plan Movement’s new producer organisation was also hotly debated.

Some farmers were in favour of joining the new producer organisation, while others insisted they should set up their own equivalent.

Securing a higher base price for cattle was the aim for many in the room.

The vote

The Irish Farmers Journal spoke to two farmers in Cahir, one who voted to accept the agreement brokered at the weekend.

The second farmer outlined his reasons for voting to stay at the gates of ABP Cahir.

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