Protests come to an end at Ballinasloe meat processing plant

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Galway Daily news Galway farmers awarded €2.2 million under beef finisher scheme

One of the last pickets standing in the beef protests which have swept Ireland in recent weeks has end in Ballinasloe.

The Independent Farmers of Ireland last night voted to end ongoing protests outside Liffey Meats in Ballinasloe after blockading it for weeks.

Last week the Meat Industry Ireland and farmers groups involved in the protests including the IFA reached an agreement which will see some price increases and bonus payments.

A special Taskforce will be established to both implement the measures of the agreement and to structurally examine the beef sector.

A meeting was held at Taghmaconnell, near Ballinasloe between farmers and representatives of the last remaining beef processors where protests were still taking place.

Galway TDs Michael Fitzmaurice and Anne Rabbitte are also understood to have addressed the meeting where there was wide support for ending the remaining the remaining protests in Ballinasloe, Cavan, and Monaghan.

The IFA has said that while the agreement is a success, its implementation will depend greatly on processors approach to the base price of cattle.

Base price proved a stickler in negotiations due to Ireland’s “flawed competition law” the IFA said.