Source: Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland

FARMERS’ THREATENED 48-hour protest at meat factories is going ahead tonight, after talks aimed at reaching a resolution ended in failure on Friday.

IFA President Eddie Downey said not enough progress has been made on the key issue of the gap between Irish and UK cattle prices.

• More: Talks on beef prices break-down without agreement

However, Meat Industry Ireland has insisted progress was made in the talks, and condemned the action as unnecessary.

“Given that significant progress had been made, further protest action, which will leave almost 10,000 people out of jobs on Monday and Tuesday, is unacceptable,” Chairman of MII Ciarán Fitzgerald said in a statement.

This 48 hour action will again only disrupt business and damage Ireland’s reputation with customers.

Source: Photocall Ireland

Since 3pm, thousands of farmers have been stationed outside meat plants around the country.

They plan to remain in place until Tuesday afternoon.

Over 10,000 farmers took part in a similar 24-hour protest last month which brought meat factories to a standstill.

The pictures here were taken outside the Keepack meat processing factory in Co Meath.

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