Donegal beef farmers have travelled to Cork on Wednesday as the government are being accused of failing the beef industry at a time when the sector has lost €100 million as a consequence of Brexit.
Members from the Irish Farmers Association gathered at Cork City Hall today where a meeting of the cabinet is currently taking place; the purpose of the gathering was to highlight the financial hit the beef sector has taken as a result Brexit.
Speaking on Wednesday, IFA President Joe Healy highlighted some of the price reductions that beef farmers have had to face.
He said: “They keep promising ‘we will look after you on Brexit’. We have the ‘big three promisers’: Leo Varadkar; Phil Hogan, and Simon Coveney.
“They have all promised big. Well, it’s time to deliver big.
“Ask any farmer here today who was trying to sell young bulls since last Christmas. Not alone were they savaged on price – some factories turned their backs on them and walked away. It was a disgrace,” he added.
“Whenever there is a problem, he seems to hide in the dressing room until the match is nearly over. Minister, you need to come out of the dressing room fully togged out and fight for Irish farmers.
“Our beef farmers are the heart and soul of the rural economy. They are the engine that keeps rural Ireland alive.
“The people who kept this country going after the economic crash and who continue to be the cornerstone of our economy.”