Farmers protesting outside ABP in Cahir, Co Tipperary, are to temporarily scale back their protest while Chinese inspectors visit the plant on Thursday.

An agreement, brokered between farmers at the gate and the factory management late on Wednesday night, will see 180 cattle delivered to the plant.

The protesters will scale back their presence at the factory gate for a period of eight hours from 12pm to 8pm.

Chinese tour

This will allow the factory management host the Chinese delegation on a detailed inspection of the plant from lairage right through the killing line to meat processing and packaging.

The move by protesters is being described as a goodwill gesture on the farmers' part.

ABP's High Court injunction remains in place.

One of the farmers involved in the late-night negotiations told the Irish Farmers Journal: "We don't want to be told that we scuppered a multimillion euro deal.

"We don't want recriminations - even though we will only get crumbs from the deal and Larry will get millions."

The Chinese delegation is touring the country this week, visiting 16 beef and sheepmeat processing facilities that are seeking approval for the export of Irish meat to China.

Factory approval

Seven beef factories are already approved for the Chinese market, of which two are ABP plants - in Nenagh and Clones.

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