Farmers who trade sheep in the dual processing factories of Dawn Ballyhaunis, Kepak Athleague and Kildare Chilling have experienced major disruptions this week.

Throughput in Dawn Ballyhaunis has been curtailed, with Kepak only processing a small consignment of lambs as part of the Chinese factory inspections. Kildare Chilling’s kill on Monday was greatly limited by protests but a deal was brokered to allow sheep processing to resume as normal on Tuesday. The remaining two Irish Country Meats plants, Moyvalley Meats and Ballon Meats, were unaffected.

Prices are unchanged ranging from €4.65/kg to €4.75/kg on average for quality-assured lamb.