With the ABP-Slaney proposed deal coming to a head this week with the announcement by the EU competition authority due on Friday, one of the other major Irish beef processors is also reported as being on the acquisition trail.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that Co Meath-headquartered Kepak is in advanced discussions with Kelly’s in Co Clare, with a view to taking over the business and expanding throughput.

Kelly’s is currently engaged primarily in killing cattle for the home trade and is under the price-reporting threshold of 20,000 cattle annually.

It is understood that Kepak sees potential for sourcing cattle in the hinterland between ABP Rathkeale to the south, ABP Nenagh and Ashbourne to the east and nobody to the north before Liffey in Ballinasloe and Kepak’s own plant in Athleague.