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A BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN is calling for the closures of meat factories to protect workers and animals during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A mobile billboard, organised by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), took to the streets of Dublin in a bid to spread the message of growing concern over the outbreak of coronavirus at meat factories.
Outbreaks have been reported at 16 Irish plants, with more than 800 workers infected with the virus so far.
The Dáil has heard how some 60 workers at Rosderra Meats’ Edenderry plant in Co Offaly had tested positive for the virus.
Meanwhile, around 100 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed at its plant in Roscrea, Co Tipperary.
Dawn Meats temporarily closed one of its plants following an outbreak of Covid-19.
Four cases of the disease have been confirmed at the meat processor’s facility in Kilbeggan in Co Westmeath.
In a statement, the food company said when it became aware of four confirmed cases of Covid-19 among workers in Kilbeggan, it was decided to defer production in the plant.
“We have implemented a detailed series of measures to manage risks associated with Covid-19, and to maintain social distancing in our facilities in line with procedures recommended by the HSE (Health Service Executive) and other Government agencies,” the statement read.
Peta director Elisa Allen said: “A deadly disease that originated in a meat market is now sweeping through meat-processing plants and endangering workers, their families, and the whole community.
“No one needs meat – that’s why Peta is calling for these facilities to be shut down immediately, for everyone’s protection.
The novel coronavirus originated in a Chinese ‘wet market’, where live and dead animals are sold for human consumption; swine flu began on a factory farm; and other influenza viruses have been traced to chickens.
“The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warns that approximately 75% of recently emerged infectious diseases affecting humans originated in other animals.”
The mobile billboard, which reads “no one needs to kill to eat”, was parked outside the gates of Leinster House while TDs debated the ongoing impact of Covid-19 in the Dail.
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The young prime minister Gabriel Attal has recognized the genuine grievances of French farmers, shared by farmers in several European countries. Too much unnecessary red tape (bureaucrats trying to intensify their power by imposing increased paperwork); too much blaming food producers for pollution; too much money required to stay in farming. In Brussels, Paris and Berlin there are 5-day civil servants; but there’s no such thing as a 5-day farmer.
@Garreth Byrne: all that red tape creates lots of civil service jobs,and their unsackable.
@jak: to keep your food and drink cheaper than it would be.
You sometimes get the distinct impression that some of Europe’s political elites really don’t have a clue about where the food they eat comes from and that real people called farmers work hard to make their livings producing and providing it. “Farmers, you say? Aren’t they the happy workers from the factories where they make the food that my staff purchase from those supermarket places?”
@William Tallon: That’s true, I know nothing about farming but I certainly have great respect for the work they do, hours they put in for little gain .
CANT BEAT Le Bleu farmers.Hope we fare better tonight.As a Munster supporter I want Pete to have a good beginning to 6 Nations Campaign.Without our Irish Farmers we gave no Country,the backbone of our Nation and prosperity.
No farmers no food is a myth in Ireland. Lots of our food is imported and lots of our meat is exported.
@Padraig O’Brien: Ok, If there was no farmers in the *whole world*, what would you live on? Furze bushes?
France 12 – 18 Ireland COYBIG
Are if there were no car makers there wouldn’t be cars etc.. We have produce food sustainably. Seen the iFA fella on prime time last night tyring to defend excessive use of nitrates. Time is now.
All I hear is farmers complaining they work hard and make no money…
I heard a good saying today” you don’t have to be smart to be a farmer, but don’t be stupid ”
Give up the farm if it is not viable, there’s plenty of jobs out there..
The farmers that really work hard and put in 10 plus hours a day are making money, because these are dairy farmers..there is no need for 95% of beef farmers to be home all day collecting subsidies and complaining about how it’s not enough..get a job
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