The Fine Gael Agriculture Spokesperson, Denis Naughten, has said the cut by one fifth in the price of spring lamb by meat factories raises serious questions which must be answered.
Speaking to farmers protesting at the Irish Country Meats plant in Navan, Co Meath, Deputy Naughten said that a cut of this magnitude could not be tolerated if farmers are to stay in business.
Mr Naughten said the action by the meat factories will have a detrimental impact on our net exports. Currently, agriculture and food related exports account for one quarter of our net exports.
Farmers are continuing their round-the-clock demonstrations outside six major processing plants around the country over what they say is a €20 cut in lamb prices over the past fortnight.
Demonstrations began last night outside processing plants in Navan, Kildare, Athleague, Hacketstown, Camolin and Ballyhaunis.
Larry Fallon of the IFA Sheep Committee said the unjustified attack on lamb prices by the factories has come as a real blow to sheep farmers.
The processors blame the drop in price on weak demand in France and a collapse in the market for lambskins.
Cormac Healy of Meat Industry Ireland described the protests as ‘misguided and damaging’ and said they would do nothing to help the prospects for Irish spring lamb.
But many farmers are refusing to sell at current prices, and are holding out for a boost in prices over the next few weeks.
