The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) said that “meat processing enterprises have taken“ concerted efforts ”to lower prices, and this can be described as an“ act of sabotage. "

The IFA cited figures that show farmers selling cattle at a base price of 3.75 euros per kg of calves and 3.85 euros per kilogram of heifers receive 20-25 cents per kg below last year's price level, which is a decrease income up to 100 euros for each employee. These data also show that farmers selling young bulls lose up to 200 euros.

Association president Joe Healy blamed factories for “naked opportunism,” while Angus Woods, chairman of the national livestock industry, said he expected prices to rise amid “tighter indicators.”

“Much attention in the country was given to the threat from Brexit to beef and the national economy. A reduction in cattle prices would be an irresponsible act of sabotaging meat factories at a time when it is necessary to focus on Brexit, ”Healy said.

According to the President of the Association of Irish Farmers, “Winter finishers suffer big losses, and some face financial collapse ... Lowering cattle prices would be highly irresponsible and completely unacceptable at present, and would be very contrary to Brexit’s national strategy” .