Up to 3,000 workers temporarily laid off in ongoing beef dispute

More than 3,000 workers in meat factories around the country have been laid off in a massive escalation of the beef crisis.

The first confirmed lay-off of 300 workers at Dawn Meats at Grannagh near Waterford happened at lunchtime today with workers told they were being temporarily let go.

But within hours Meat industry Ireland (MII) which represents  beef processors confirmed that 300 employees in  beef processing facilities have been temporarily laid off.

They blamed "the continuing illegal blockades of factories and intimidation of staff and suppliers by protestors."

Independent farmers and supporters outside the Dawn Meats plant at Grannagh on the Waterford/Kilkenny border (Brian Lawless/PA Wire)

It means that 80% of overall  processing capacity has been shut down.

And there are fears that there will be further closures in the coming days.

Earlier, under pressure Agriculture Minister Michael Creed said the refusal of the beef processors body, Meat Industry Ireland to join talks to end the impasse threatened to close down the entire beef industry.

And he said this could not happen and that all parties need to reflect that their actions could worsen the  crisis.