The owner of a Meat Factory in Co Laois says it may have to close due to blockades by protesting farmers.
Meadow Meats in Rathdowney says the temporary lay-offs at the plant last week could now become permanent as the actions by a small number of farmers has called into question the long-term viability of the business.
Meanwhile the Minister for Agriculture has written an open letter pleading with protesting farmers to stop blockades.
It's after farming organisations and Meat Industry Ireland agreed on proposals at the weekend aimed at ending the beef price dispute.
An Open Letter to Farmer Protesters: pic.twitter.com/ztvZLsdRoP
— Michael Creed TD (@creedcnw) September 16, 2019
In his letter, Michael Creed says farmers voice's have been heard 'loud and clear'. He also says the agreement is a compromise and nobody got everything they wanted from the weekend talks.
But he says farmers who simply want a price increase have to accept that such an increase was not legally on the table at the talks.
He goes on to ask farmers to give the agreement a chance and to stop their protests at meat factory gates.
