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Sheep farmers lifted an overnight blockade outside Kepak Athleague which had been in place for 27 hours after Kepak bosses promised to meet farmers on price.
Members of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) descended on Kepak at 2pm on Sunday and blocked all sheep and cattle attempting to enter until 5pm on Monday.
Over 1,000 sheep and 250 cattle were turned away by the protestors, who were joined by members of the Beef Plan Movement and the INHFA.
The protest was sparked by anger over the Kepak quote for lambs, which ICSA sheep chair Sean McNamara said was the lowest of any factory.
He said farmers wanted to see quotes increased to €5.20/kg, approximately 30c to 40c more than he claimed the factory was offering.
McNamara told the Irish Farmers Journal that the protest had been suspended until a meeting took place with Kepak.
However, he added that the ICSA was not finished and the factory would be blockaded again if necessary. The talks are scheduled for Thursday 4 July.
McNamara warned the ICSA would go to other factories if necessary. In May, it blockaded ICM Camolin over low prices.
Quotes
Most factories are not quoting for spring lambs this week. Moyvalley and Kildare Chilling are offering €5/kg.
Last week, Kepak Athleague did not provide a quote while Dawn Ballyhaunis and the ICM plants offered €5/kg.
IFA analysis found that consumers would be charged €171 for a 21.5kg lamb carcass with 79% saleable meat selling for an average of €10/kg, while farmers would receive just €109.
Sean Dennehy, IFA sheep chair said while prices were down between 50c and 70c, retail prices were just 1.3% lower.
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