There is currently no investigation or prosecution following the invasion of a pig farm in Killucan, Co Westmeath, last Saturday. However, the IFA has announced that it will meet the Department of Agriculture and An Garda Síochána in the coming days to discuss the incident.

“For an individual farmer to be confronted with this type of intimidating activity is very distressing as it has the potential to destroy their livelihood," IFA president Joe Healy said, calling for the protestors to be dealt with using the full rigour of the law.

Biosecurity concerns

He also raised biosecurity concerns as pig farms are under tight sureveillance due to the global threat of African swine fever.

A Department of Agriculture spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal that one of its veterinary inspectors attended at the pig farm in question, in addition to a private vet, at the request of the pig farm owners.

"No Department of Agriculture investigation is ongoing in relation to the pig farm," they added.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed that gardaí attended the scene of the protest. "The protest was peaceful, no arrests were made," they said.

With the pattern of repeated farm invasions in other countries where Saturday's group Meat the Victims has been active, there are now fears that more farms may be targeted.