A blockade of Kepak’s Athleague plant has been postponed to allow for talks between the Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA) and Kepak bosses. A decision is to be made on price by Thursday, the Irish Farmers Journal understands.

A protest organised by the ICSA at the Roscommon factory began on Sunday afternoon.

Seán McNamara, the ICSA sheep chair, said that farmers would be back at the factory "if they do not move on price". He said if they have to come back, they want 200 farmers to turn up, rather than 20 and 30.

Cuts

The protest started around 2pm on Sunday in response to severe cuts to lamb prices in recent weeks.

The ICSA has demanded that prices rise to €5.20/kg immediately for lambs, approximately 30c to 40c above what they claim the factory is currently offering farmers.

Once the protest commenced, no livestock were allowed past the protest line for slaughter, with trailer loads of sheep turned away.

A refrigerated lorry trying to leave the factory was also blocked by the protesters.

Talks

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal earlier on Monday afternoon, McNamara said the protesters had tried to meet with factory bosses to discuss the current situation.

“They said they would talk to us only if we would remove the blockade, we refused that offer, so now we are in a stalemate," McNamara explained, before the farmers suspended the blockade.

Support

Members of the INHFA and the Beef Plan Movement were also in attendance.

Padraig O'Connor from the Roscommon Beef Plan Movement said they were there to support sheep farmers.

"We all have to pull together, otherwise we are going nowhere," the Roscommon native said.

He said he hopes sheep farmers return the favour in the future and highlighted the need for support at a beef protest planned for 10 July in Dublin.

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Factory disruption ‘will not help’ lamb prices – MII