The Irish Farmers' Association yesterday picketed plants which have been importing German beef as prices at factories continued to fall.
IFA delegations met managements of the Honeyclover plant, Athy, Co Kildare, and Carrickmacross Meats, in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, following the introduction of the pickets.
After the Athy meeting, Mr Ger Bergin, vice-chairman of the IFA's National Livestock Committee, said the company had agreed to review its policy on importation.
He said it had indicated that the review would be aimed at ceasing further importations, but this could not be confirmed with the company last night.
Mr Bergin said importing cheap German beef was highly insensitive at this time of crisis for the beef and livestock sector.
It made no sense that some beef groups were engaging in this practice and undermining cattle prices at the same time as they were being granted significant Purchase for Destruction quotas from the Government to support the beef market.
Mr Johnny Butterly, of the IFA Ulster-north Leinster Livestock Committee, said the Carrickmacross company confirmed it had been importing German beef for use on the export and home markets.
Few cattle were purchased for beef yesterday by the meat plants, and the prices offered for animals under 30 months were 5p to 7p lower than the 90p per lb being paid for destroying animals.
There was almost no trade in animals over 30 months, with plants offering as little as 80p per lb for top-grade older animals.
Later today the EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner, Mr Franz Fischler, will outline to the European Parliament further plans for cutting beef production.
It is understood the Commissioner favours cutting the number of animals that will qualify for EU payments and is expected to announce, later in the week, a calf destruction scheme which, if accepted by farm ministers, could become mandatory in the Union.
The Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Walsh, has already signalled his opposition to a calf slaughter scheme.