Meat Industry Ireland says 3,000 employees of its members have been temporarily laid off nationwide due to the ongoing protests outside their plants.
That includes 300 workers at Dawn Meats in Grannagh on the Waterford/Kilkenny border.
They were told about the layoffs after being called to a meeting this afternoon.
Meat Industry Ireland says the decision wasn't taken lightly but companies were forced to act due to the ongoing blockades by farmers.
It claims the blockades are illegal and that staff and suppliers are being intimidated by farmers.
Farmers are picketing plants over the price they get for a carcass.
Meat Industry Ireland pulled out of talks on Monday night aimed at resolving the dispute.
The Agriculture Minister says the refusal of MII to engage in talks could shut the industry down.
