Statement by Meat Industry Ireland

Meat Industry Ireland (MII) has welcomed today’s further initiative by Michael Creed T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to convene talks with a view to an immediate ending of the Beef Plan protests. These protests had brought beef processing to a virtual standstill in the country, causing significant disruption in the beef trade and also led to temporary staff layoffs.


Real damage has been done to domestic and export business as a result of these protests and it is high time for the sector to get back to business. Processing needs to take place if we are to avoid losing more customers for Irish beef and lamb.


As part of this agreement, Beef Plan has committed to suspend all protests with immediate effect and MII members have agreed to suspend legal proceedings. 


Both parties are agreeable to meet on Monday under an independent Chairman appointed by the Minister.