Farmers have begun a 24-hour blockade on meat factories in a protest at what they claim are low cattle prices.
The action, organised by the Irish Farmers Association, is the latest step in a campaign by farmers to try and tackle the issue of low prices.
IFA president Eddie Downey said the protest was being held because farmer anger over cattle prices was boiling over. He said they were now receiving €350 per head less for cattle than their counterparts in the UK.
The Irish Farmers Association’s protest outside meat factories has been described by meat processors as “unnecessary, misguided and counterproductive”.
Meat Industry Ireland, the Ibec group that represents the factories, said the action would only serve to disrupt business and damage Ireland's export reputation, without having any impact on European beef prices.
“Cattle prices are strengthening and the trend from the market is positive,” a spokesman for the group said.
“This is a direct result of a significant drop in EU beef consumption, which has fallen by 700,000 tonnes since 2010. Notwithstanding this, Irish beef production is up 20 per cent year on year,” he said.
Farmers have not blockaded meat factories since 2000 when the courts imposed fines on the IFA over its action.
From this afternoon farmers are going to prevent business as usual at every meat factory in the country for a 24-hour period.
He said that while Irish cattle prices were weaker this year, prices across the EU have fallen.