Fresh beef back in stock

Local beef producers yesterday disrupted the action taken by slaughterers and killed a number of cattle at the abattoir, which will enable butchers to restock.

There has been no slaughter of fresh beef at the abattoir for two weeks in a dispute over a production bonus.

The Meatsellers' Association said the butchers would buy the meat from the producers tomorrow, since today is a feast day.

The association, which represents 274 butchers, said when contacted that it could no longer tolerate a situation where its members could not provide consumers with fresh beef.

Last week the butchers held an extraordinary general meeting when they agreed that they would purchase the beef from the producers if the dispute was not resolved and the slaughterers failed to kill livestock for the third week running.

On Thursday the butchers will meet to discuss renewing their decision for the following week.

The dispute is between the GRTU - Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, who represent the slaughterers, and the Milk Producers Cooperative (KPH), on behalf of local beef producers.

The two sides are at loggerheads over a production bonus and the immediate introduction of meat grading at the abattoir.