Talks continue in effort to restart pig-meat industry
Pig-meat processors and officials from the Department of Agriculture are due to resume talks this morning in an effort to reach agreement on the reopening of the sector.
The processors are seeking compensation for the dioxin contamination crisis crippling the industry before they will resume slaughtering.
The negotiations broke down at 1.30am despite the direct intervention of the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, for three and a half hours.
Leaving the Department of Agriculture early this morning, Cormac Healy, the director of the Irish Pigmeat Processors Association, said there was still "a bit to go" in the talks.
Pig farmers, meanwhile, are planning a protest at the department today to highlight their anger at the delay in reopening processing plants.
The Irish Farmers Association says its members are unable to send their animals to slaughter because of the dioxin scare, even though they are clear of contamination.
It says it is unacceptable that the closure of the 10 affected farms can also shut down 450 safe farms.
