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Laois Farmers Whole-Heartedly Reject Beef Agreement

Monday, 16 September 2019 09:28

By Ellen Butler

They intend to continue their pickeet in Rathdowney for as long as it takes.

Laois farmers are whole-heartedly rejecting the outcome of the weekend's beef discussions.

A representative for farmers outside Dawn Meats in Rathdowney says they will continue their picket until a proper agreement is found.

Farming organisations and Meat Industry Ireland met with the Agriculture Minister over the weekend, and agreed a deal which outlines an extension of age limits on cattle, the introduction of a beef task force and increases to bonuses. 

But Michael Kelly, a beef farmer from Ballybrophy, Co. Laois, feels no progress has been made on the issues that matter:

Attempts are being made at local level to try to end weeks of blockades by protesting farmers outside meat factories. 

Farmers want better base prices for cattle, an end to age restrictions and changes to the beef quality assurance scheme before they'll leave the picket lines. 

They're preventing livestock trucks from entering meat processing plants, despite an agreement reached between Meat Industry Ireland and six farming organisations yesterday.

Aidan Moore, who is protesting outside Meadow Meats in Rathdowney, feels trust between farmers and factories has been broken: 

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