Irish Farmers Halt Meat Plant Blockade

January 27, 2000

Irish farmers have decided to accede to a court order and halt the blockade of Irish meat plants that began Jan. 11. That decision led to the resignation of the national council of the Irish Farmers Association, including President Tom Parlon. A decision by the Department of Agriculture to impose additional veterinary fees led to the blockade.

Slaughter plants passed on the additional fees in the prices paid to farmers. Combined with low prices for cattle and fiscal penalties for cattle delivered "dirty" to slaughter facilities incensed farmers and led to the revolt, according to a USDA attache report.

The decision to stop the blockade came as a High Court judge, who had granted the Irish Meat Association a court injunction banning the blockade, increased the daily fine on the IFA for ignoring the court order to halt the blockade. The IFA already owed the courts US$642,000 for the protest and decided to call off the blockade and apologize to the court.

Farmers nevertheless intensified the blockades. Whole families began protesting outside meat slaughter facilities. While farmers no longer operate under IFA banners, the report said., most are members of the IFA and continue to use the organization’s resources to organize blockades at the local level.

The High Court judge whose court order had been ignored by the IFA has warned he will deal severely with anyone who doesn’t comply with his order, but that hasn’t deterred the farmers, according to the report.

Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh intervened Jan. 14, trying to broker a deal between the processors and farmers. He managed to get the Irish Meat Association to rescind its decision to pass along the inspection fee to farm prices.

Now farmers, void of leadership, have demanded that cattle prices be increased as well. Walsh apparently has been assured by the processors that by implementing some cost saving measures, prices can be increased. However, the USDA report added, it was "widely feared" farmers would not accept that.

The blockades have had an economic impact. More than 3,500 meat factory workers have been laid off, supermarkets are low on beef supplies and valuable export contracts are running late, the report said.