About 140 workers at Anglo-Irish Beef Processors, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, are in danger of being laid off because of IFA protests blocking the Irish Food Processors-owned meat factory.
Mr Pat Heneghan, spokesperson for AIBP, confirmed that a number of staff at the meat-processing plant had been let go at lunchtime yesterday and other staff had been put on protective notice.
Mr Heneghan blamed the layoffs and the issuing of protective notices on the IFA. He said the situation was "all due to the IFA blockages at the factory. Meat cannot get in or out." Mr Pat Hogan, chairman of the north Tipperary branch of the IFA, said: "There is a simple solution, that is 90p for CO [ordinary] grade and the removal of the increase on the levy introduced on Monday."
Farmers outside the factory made their message clear. "We are prepared to stay here for as long as it takes. We are going broke as it is," said Mr Ruaidhri Deasy, national grain chairman of the IFA. "We are staying this time. We won't be going anywhere in a hurry." Mr Hogan emphasised that their protest was from the grassroots support of the IFA.
"This is not an instruction from people at the top like Tom Parlon. The troops on the ground are revolting and are on standby to play their part in the picket line," he said.
Forty farmers protested outside Ashbourne Meats in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, yesterday.