Cull sow slaughter was suspended at Rosderra this week as the dispute between factory vets and the Department of Agriculture continues.

Veterinary Ireland and Department officials were meeting to attempt to resolve the problem at the time of going to print.

Rosderra was running over 10,000 head behind its expected kill figure at the beginning of this week. It normally processes 37,000 pigs per week in full production.

Waterford pig farmer Michael Monagle said the dispute is having a bigger impact on farmers than factories.

“If you [vets] want a dispute, do it during a high-demand period of the year [when] it would have the highest impact on the processor. The first part of any agreement should be that no action would be taken during quiet times,” he said.