Although the Beef Plan Movement might be considered the new kid on the block, it had the support of heavyweights such as the Charolais Society, the Limousin Society and Elphin Mart, as well as the Irish Grain Growers, during its protest outside the Beef Summit.

Some 400 farmers marched up to the Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe last Thursday, with a number carrying a coffin into the conference room to symbolise the death of rural Ireland.

Minister Creed and other speakers took a deal of vocal criticism from the crowd when they took the stage. But The Dealer couldn’t help but notice a few other familiar faces in the crowd, including factory reps, who wore branding-free clothing and were keeping a low profile.

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