Less than half the usual number of animals have been killed in some factories as a result of the ongoing dispute between Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs) and the Department of Agriculture.

Daily kill numbers have been cut by 50% in some plants, with the slaughter line being stopped for periods and the kill suspended entirely for other times of the day.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the most severely affected plants so far include ABP Clones, ICM Navan, Moyvalley Meats in Kildare, Rosderra in Edenderry and the Dawn Meats plant in Slane, Co Meath.

Veterinary Ireland chief executive Finbarr Murphy told the Irish Farmers Journal on Saturday that TVIs were working to their contract requirements only.

Creaking at the seams

“TVIs have been working double and treble shifts to keep the whole system going,” said Murphy. “It has been creaking at the seams.”

Typically TVIs work shifts of between two and four hours in length, and some vets have been working two or three shifts in a day to facilitate the Department of Agriculture and allow factories to kill for longer periods despite the shortage of TVIs.

Now, however, the vets will only fulfil their contractual requirements, meaning they will only work the shifts they are required to.

“The goodwill is gone out of TVIs,” said Murphy.

Cancellations

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that factories are reporting last-minute cancellations by TVIs and short notice (less than 24 hours) cancellation of entire shifts.

Cattle, sheep and pig deliveries have been cancelled by factories as a result, with some loads of cattle already en route having to be turned around.

Some fresh meat customers have not been supplied with their full orders, while the disrupted and restricted kills means a knock-on impact for boning hall operations in some factories over the coming days.

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