Sinn Féin Agriculture spokesperson Brian Stanley TD has welcomed the lifting of an injunction against beef protesters, Cllr Paraic Brady (Longford) and Colm Leonard, a local carpenter.
Earlier today, C&D Foods announced it was lifting injunctions against the two.
Speaking today Deputy Stanley said; “I welcome today’s news that the injunction against these beef farmers has been lifted. This is long overdue.
“This issue has caused a lot of angst and anger right across the farming community and was an impediment to the Beef Market Task Force moving ahead with its work on a constructive basis.
“The fact that the meat processor refused to lift the injunction up to this point has impeded the Task Force’s progress’’.
“I raised this issue yesterday in the Dáil with the Minister for Agriculture and separately with the Taoiseach and asked them to use their influence the get the processor to drop the injunction.
“It’s important now that the Task Force meets in plenary session and gets all the stakeholders around the table to deal with the crisis in the beef sector.
“I also suggested to the Tánaiste in the Dáil today that representatives of the retailers need to be there and that the Minister for Agriculture convene the Task Force immediately.”
C&D Foods also released a statement:
“C&D Foods Edgeworthstown, a pet food facility, was illegally blockaded in September, staff were intimidated and C&D Foods were forced to lay off 187 employees of the 612 people employed on the site. ABP, since acquiring an interest in C&D in 2008, has invested significantly and quadrupled the activities in the site.
“The blockade coincided with blockades at beef processing plants. The blockade was led by Fine Gael Cllr Pauric Brady and Colm Leonard, a local carpenter, in conjunction with the Beef Plan Movement.
“C&D Foods do not buy or process cattle and C&D Foods is financed and managed separately and independently from ABP. C&D Foods is not a member of Meat Industry Ireland.
“We have an obligation to protect our employees and our business. We sought and were granted Injunctions to allow our employees to return to work safely. We made a complaint to the Gardaí following threats made against management in relation to these injunctions.
“Over the past few weeks we have met with and received assurances from the Minister for Justice and Minister for Agriculture in relation to the intimidation and threats made against management. We understand and respect the right to picket and peacefully protest but there is no place for blockades, threats and intimidation of staff and suppliers.
“The Minister for Justice has assured us that the relevant authorities will act to protect our employees, our business and uphold the rule of law. Following these consultations and assurances we have decided to apply to strike out these injunctions.”
SEE ALSO – Laois doctor launches plans for new housing development
