Beef Plan Movement leadership should abandon “illegal” blockades at factories, according to Meat Industry Ireland (MII).
In a statement on Tuesday evening, MII said that “processors have endeavoured to maintain business continuity in the face of ongoing protests, intimidation and blockades of factory operations across the country by Beef Plan.
“There has already been costly disruption to normal processing of livestock (both cattle and sheep) being presented for slaughter by suppliers. As of today, we understand that there are up to nine sites not operating as livestock coming in have been blocked by Beef Plan protesters, something which contravenes their own guidelines.
“Many other plants are only operating at minimal levels,” it said.
‘Unacceptable abuse’
The right of suppliers to organise a peaceful protest is accepted, the body, which represents the factories, said.
“However, the unlawful behaviour of some protesters at certain sites continues to go well beyond the guidelines issued by Beef Plan itself and is resulting in unacceptable abuse and intimidation of fellow farmer suppliers, company employees, Government-assigned veterinarians and other service providers including hauliers.
“Some of these protests have been joined by non-farming elements that have added a sinister undertone.”
‘Widespread evidence’
“It is contemptible that Beef Plan has now, in the face of widespread evidence of unlawful blockading and intimidation, sought to blame factories for hostile actions that are clearly being perpetrated by Beef Plan protesters.
“It is clear from recent social media postings by Beef Plan that they have no control over the disruptive protests which they have initiated, and which have now escalated into outrageous behaviour at many sites.”
“Beef Plan leadership should now abandon their illegal blockades at factories,” it said.
Read more
'A price rise would sort everything out' - Rathdowney protest
Nine meat plants 'blocked' by Beef Plan protesters – Meat Industry Ireland
Garda armed response unit attends Limerick factory protest
Beef Plan Movement leadership should abandon “illegal” blockades at factories, according to Meat Industry Ireland (MII).
In a statement on Tuesday evening, MII said that “processors have endeavoured to maintain business continuity in the face of ongoing protests, intimidation and blockades of factory operations across the country by Beef Plan.
“There has already been costly disruption to normal processing of livestock (both cattle and sheep) being presented for slaughter by suppliers. As of today, we understand that there are up to nine sites not operating as livestock coming in have been blocked by Beef Plan protesters, something which contravenes their own guidelines.
“Many other plants are only operating at minimal levels,” it said.
‘Unacceptable abuse’
The right of suppliers to organise a peaceful protest is accepted, the body, which represents the factories, said.
“However, the unlawful behaviour of some protesters at certain sites continues to go well beyond the guidelines issued by Beef Plan itself and is resulting in unacceptable abuse and intimidation of fellow farmer suppliers, company employees, Government-assigned veterinarians and other service providers including hauliers.
“Some of these protests have been joined by non-farming elements that have added a sinister undertone.”
‘Widespread evidence’
“It is contemptible that Beef Plan has now, in the face of widespread evidence of unlawful blockading and intimidation, sought to blame factories for hostile actions that are clearly being perpetrated by Beef Plan protesters.
“It is clear from recent social media postings by Beef Plan that they have no control over the disruptive protests which they have initiated, and which have now escalated into outrageous behaviour at many sites.”
“Beef Plan leadership should now abandon their illegal blockades at factories,” it said.
Read more
'A price rise would sort everything out' - Rathdowney protest
Nine meat plants 'blocked' by Beef Plan protesters – Meat Industry Ireland
Garda armed response unit attends Limerick factory protest
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