Hundreds of farmers including many from Co Tipperary have demonstrated outside the Dail today highlighting how the prices being paid to them for beef by certain beef processing plants are being cut.
Their concerns stem from a reduction in demand from the processors for certain types of cattle, despite farmers having been of the understanding that there would be a market for those animals.
Today’s protest was organised by the Irish Farmers Association.
The organsisation’s president Eddie Downey said that prices need to be restored and more live export markets should be opened up to secure the future of the beef industry.
Speaking to Tipperary Mid West Radio this morning Junior Minister at the Department of Agriculture Tom Hayes said that it is a situation that should never have been allowed to arise and that consultation is needed to resolve it.
