Following weeks of unrelenting bad news for the beef sector, farmers were yesterday at the gates of beef plants and the EU’s veterinary watchdog.
The IFA jumped the gates of the EU’s Food and Veterinary Offices in Meath to protest at the lack of scrutiny of the standards and traceability of Brazilian beef. The organisation wants the €1bn Mercosur beef fund released immediately.
The Beef Plan Movement’s protest, which began on Sunday, now extends to 14 beef factories from Bandon to Slane. Feelings are running high, with one farmer taken to hospital following an incident at ABP Cahir.
Reports indicate that factory throughput is down by more than 25% this week, as the impact of the protests is felt.
Irish cattle prices have fallen by almost 20c/kg over the last month, and now lag behind the EU average. Prices have stabilised in mainland Europe.
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