Fine Gael Senator Tim Lombard has called for an independent mediator to be appointed in an effort to break the deadlock witnessed at factory gates around the country.

Speaking after meeting the protesters at the Beef Plan Movement picket line outside ABP Bandon on Tuesday, he said: “There should be some kind of resolution process put in place, similar to the Labour Court's resolution process, where we would have all sections involved in the beef industry give their views in an attempt to find common ground.

"I spent an hour and a half talking to the protesters and listening to their concerns. We need to have meaningful negotiations between all sides at this stage.”

A farmer based at Minane Bridge, Co Cork, Senator Lombard said he is very aware of the pressures family farmers are under especially in the beef sector.

“I’m calling for the appointment of an independent mediator as a solution to the current stalemate. At this stage the protest has gone on for 10 days, tensions are beginning to get high on both sides of the picket and now we need to work towards a solution.”

Senator Lombard is the first prominent Fine Gael politician to meet farmers at the factory gates during this current Beef Plan Movement protest.

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