Farmer protest continues in Ballyhaunis

FARMERS are continuing to protest outside Dawn meats in Ballyhaunis this evening (Wednesday).

Beef Plan Movement members have been protesting at a number of factories - in Ballyhaunis since Monday - over plans to cut the suckler cow herd by half and prices being by the factories.

The protest is gaining momentum in Mayo, with farmers outside the plant 24 hours a day. Last night some 150 farmers were there.

Councillors, at a meeting in Castlebar today, voiced support for the farmers.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne said they had seen a price slump of up to €4 million a week as a result of price cuts, but they didn't drop for the consumer in the supermarket.

All the factory prices across the country were so even that someone should be looking at it, he said.

Councillor Al McDonnell said subsidies were all that was keeping farmers in business, with factory prices dropping up to €350 per animal in a year.

It was, he said, totally unsustainable.