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Meat factories are facing significant difficulties in the run-up to the Christmas kill, as relations between the Department of Agriculture and temporary veterinary inspectors (TVIs) have reached breaking point, and vets have intensified their work-to-rule position.
“Some plants are facing significant disruption to operations, which is impacting on processing throughput and animal intake and risking supplies to customers at a critical time of year,” Cormac Healy of Meat Industry Ireland said.
“We need both parties at the table immediately and the work-to-rule halted. ”
“The recent action is undermining normal processing activity and creating uncertainty for businesses and farmers.”
Processors affected
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that factories affected include Irish Country Meats in Navan, Rosderra in Edenderry, ABP in Clones and Dawn Meats in Slane.
TVIs have been operating on a work-to-rule for a number of months, but the situation has escalated in the run-up to Christmas.
Working double shifts over the Christmas period has been highlighted as one of the issues, the Irish Farmers Journal understands.
There are around 800 vets across Ireland on TVI panels, with 650 working some shifts in meat factories in any year.
TVI work is worth €13m per year to the vets involved.
IFA President, Joe Healy said it was totally unacceptable that TVI's would hold farmers to ransom in their row with the Department of Agriculture.
He said, "After farmers enduring such a difficult year and prices on the floor, it is totally unacceptable that vets are holding farmers to ransom in their row with the Department."
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