The Beef Plan Movement suspended its protests across the country on Friday night after it was announced that talks would take place on Monday between Meat Industry Ireland and the group.
#beefplanprotest would like to thank #ruralireland for their continued support in helping to protect our industry and way of life, official protests have been suspended until after Monday's talks. A big thanks to all politicians and businesses who have assisted us also. pic.twitter.com/iwTFuZrB5U
— beefplan (@Beefplan) August 10, 2019
Enda Fingleton, the south east regional chair of the Beef Plan Movement told the Irish Farmers Journal on Saturday that the group had fully stood down all protests.
"We've had a team on the road cleaning sites in the interest of public safety," he said.
Some farmers at a small number of factories are continuing a presence at factory gates but are not protesting.
The unofficial protest continued outside Dawn Meats Grannagh until around 11pm. There were no farmers protesting there on Saturday morning.
Slaney Foods, Clohamon, Wexford
A number of farmers are were still protesting outside Slaney Foods on Saturday morning.
ABP Cahir, Tipperary
More than 40 Beef Plan protesters left the picket outside ABP Cahir on Friday night.
They told the Irish Farmers Journal that their negotiators in Monday's talks with MII would have no authority if they did not stand down and give the talks a chance. The farmers said they are fully prepared to return on Monday evening if talks fail.
ABP Bandon, Cork
On Saturday morning, farmers continued to picket outside ABP Bandon in an individual capacity.
By 9.30am, there were over 70 farmers on the picket line along with a number of gardaí. All farmers had left the picket in the afternoon.
Generator going and more farmers arriving at Kepak in Ennis. Not an official #BeefPlan protest since Wednesday but farmers say they intend to keep a presence here until they get a guarantee from the factory there'll be no kill ahead of Monday talks. pic.twitter.com/jhOUBjdGaz
— Hannah QuinnMulligan (@hqmulligan) August 10, 2019
Kepak Clonee and Dawn Meats Slane, Meath
In Meath, where there were two pickets. The protestors have stood down for the weekend.
No farmers remain at Dawn Meats Slane or Kepak Clonee. However, at both factories cabins brought by the protesters have been left on site in the event that talks break down.
Kepak, Ennis, Clare
The Beef Plan officially withdrew from the protest on Wednesday but a number of farmers remained in an individual capacity. Some 10 farmers were at the picket line on Saturday morning but reports suggest that they've now left the site.
ABP Rathkeale, Limerick
No farmers remain on the picket line.
Kepak, Kilbeggan, Westmeath
There were no farmers outside Kepak Kilbeggan on Saturday morning.
Additional reporting by the Irish Farmers Journal news team.
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