One of the country's largest retail distribution centres is being blockaded by farmers in a protest over beef prices.
The Irish Farmers' Association has begun a 12 hour protest outside the Aldi nationwide warehouse in Naas, blocking access to delivery trucks.
At seven o'clock this morning scores of farmers set up a blockade of the Aldi distribution centre in Naas.
The blockade by @IFAmedia beef farmers continues at Aldi distribution centre in Naas. They’re holding posters demanding a fair price for their cattle. pic.twitter.com/FNSwI9GxBZ
— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) December 5, 2019
It distributes products to stores all over the country, but this morning trucks are being prevented from entering or leaving the site by protestors and tractors blocking the entrance.
The Irish Farmers' Association is mounting the blockade for 12 hours claiming retailers need to address the poor price farmers are paid for their cattle.
They're demanding an immediate beef price increase.
The association is warning that unless they see a beef price increase further protests will follow.
Trucks are queuing up on the road to get into Aldi’s distribution centre in Naas. They can’t get access as farmers belonging to the IFA have mounted a 12 hour blockade over beef prices. pic.twitter.com/hhd9eQPiJJ
— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) December 5, 2019
In a statement, Aldi has said it "is extremely disappointed by today’s IFA protest at its Naas Regional Distribution Centre. We welcomed the resumption of the Beef Taskforce this week and have engaged positively with farmer representative organisations on the beef issue over recent months. Aldi has a policy of open communications with all of its stakeholders, including the IFA. To be very clear, Aldi received no request for engagement on this issue from any member of the IFA leadership, no communication about specific concerns about the mechanics of the beef market, including age specification, and no warning of any grievance the IFA had before this morning."
