An all-island meeting of farm organisations affected by the collapsing prices in the beef sector in Dublin yesterday evening was very successful, according to its hosts Farmers for Action (FFA).
“It was a very successful meeting,” according to William Taylor of FFA. “Due to its success with actions and proposals under way, FFA UK NI has now drawn back on its lamb and beef supply two-week strike date of 2 April, proposed originally for Northern Ireland. We are putting that on hold.”
He continued: “The meeting yesterday was so positive that we now see no need to act independently.”
According to the FFA, nine organisations were present and very much involved in full and frank discussions of the serious issue of beef and lamb prices affecting farmers North and South. The group agreed the measures to be taken will be published within 24 hours or soon after.
Organisations that attended the meeting included the Irish Co-Operative Society, ICSA Ireland, ICMSA, the Northern Ireland Agriculture Producers Association, the Special Disadvantage Area Associate Group, the National Beef Association UK NI, the Northern Ireland livestock Auctioneers Association and Farm Families Right Group. FFA received an apology from the National Sheep Association in the UK and Northern Ireland and an anticipated apology from a leading marts association in southern Ireland.