The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) is holding emergency meetings this week to discuss the significant drop in pigmeat prices.

Representatives from pig factories, Bord Bia and Teagasc have been invited to attend.  The first meeting is taking place this evening in Mitchelstown, Portlaoise on Wednesday and Cavan on Thursday.

Speaking to AgriLand, pig committee chairman Pat O’Flaherty said pig prices on average dropped between 10 and eight cent in the space of a week, which is very concerning for pig farmers.

“This drop in the space of seven days is very concerning. We have asked the factories to come to the meeting and explain why prices have tumbled so much. Just last week we exposed mislabelling with our DNA technology of suppliers and supermarkets. It may be just a coincidence but it is very depressing to do such great work for pig farmers with the DNA technology and then to have prices fall so significantly within the next seven days.”

He is urging farmers to make contact with the IFA and attend the meetings.

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