The Clare branch of the Beef Plan Movement has formally stepped back from their protest at the Kepak meat plant at Tiermaclane.
Large numbers have attended the demonstration outside of the factory, which has been ongoing for a week now, and now the Beef Plan movement says it has grown beyond their organisation.
The group has removed their signs and placards from the site, but a demonstration continues.
The Chair of the Beef Plan movement in Clare, Joseph Woulfe, says those who are taking part are doing so on an individual basis.
He has been telling Clare FM’s James Mulhall why they have withdrawn from Ennis and what he hopes happens next:
Protests continue nationally, however, and separately this lunch the meat industry representative body says more companies will be forced to lay off workers if demonstrations continue.
In a statement, Meat Industry Ireland allege that ‘unlawful behaviour of some protestors at certain sites has caused significant and irreparable damage to the beef industry.’
They also warn that they’ve been left with no option but to seek an unspecified legal remedy.
Agriculture Minister Michael Creed says efforts to reach out to Beef Plan Movement and begin talks, if they suspend their protests, have been rejected.
