"I would like to say to the farmers on the picket lines, the people of Ireland are behind you and we are behind you."
Irish restaurants may be forced to remove beef options from menus as early as next week as a result of the ongoing beef dispute.
Despite an agreement being reached between farmers and factories, not all farmers have agreed to the deal because it does not change the baseline price of beef.
Earlier this week,
over 350 people were temporarily laid off at a meat-processing plant in Tipperary, with a further 182 jobs threatened.
On Wednesday morning, the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) moved to quell the matter, calling on farmers to lift the blockage and recognise the negotiated agreement.
“If the blockade isn’t lifted soon some restaurants won’t have beef on the menu from next week due to zero supply from meat distributors," said Adrian Cummins, RAI CEO.
The RAI statement notes that the organisation "fully supports" those protesting, but notes that the blockades "need to stop" in order for both sides to reflect on the deal.
"I would like to say to the farmers on the picket lines, the people of Ireland are behind you and we are behind you," Cummins added.
"Now is the time to wear the green jersey and lift the blockade in the interest of Irish businesses, international reputation, Jobs and the future of Irish food exports."
Pickets are expected to remain outside a number of factories around the country.
