Beef protests escalate outside Kilkenny processing plant

By COLIN BARTLEY

Today saw a major escalation of the protest outside a meat processing plant in Kilkenny.

Up to 60 farmers supporting the Beef Plan Movement are protesting outside the gates of Dawn Meats in Grannagh, Co. Kilkenny today.

The protesters were trying to prevent trucks from entering the facility on the banks of the River Suir. Gardai are at the location.

It’s the seventh day in a row protests have been held at the Dawn Meats facility, as protesters keep a 24-hour vigil outside the gates. Organisers say the protests are necessary to protect the Irish beef industry.

The beef farmers are objecting to the recommendations of the Climate Change Advisory Council, who wish to reduce the number of suckler cows by 53%, as part of an effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The protest plans to hit the wider agricultural industry financially by refusing to go to local co-ops; refusing to sell cattle in local marts; refusing to bring cattle to factories; and refusing to shop in local towns.

The protests intensified today after the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed said he could not intervene in setting beef prices. The Irish Farmers Association has so far not committed to supporting the Beef Plan Movement, but talks have been held between the groups.

Today organisers of the movement called on vets not to cross the picket line in support of the farmers.

Picture Courtesy of Conor Kane – Twitter