Offaly IFA backs pig price protests

The Offaly branch of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) is supporting protests by the association over the price paid for pigs.

The IFA has intensified its campaign to ensure that the price paid for pigs reaches €2 per kg by June 1.

From 6am this morning (Tuesday), pig farmers targeted four locations across the country to seek commitments from processors for price increases.

The Offaly IFA branch was represented at a protest outside Carty Meats in Athlone; while protests were also held at Kerry Foods in Shillelagh, Co Wicklow; Oakpark Foods in Cahir, Co Tipperary; and Connollys Pork and Bacon, Monaghan.

In addition, a demonstration took place at Carroll Meats in Tullamore last Thursday.

IFA Pig Chairman Roy Gallie said farmers are at breaking point.

"It's now or never for them. We are losing €55 per pig sold and this has been the case for far too long. We need the pig farmers to survive to fill the supermarket shelves," he said.