The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) has today called for a "beef summit" involving the Minister for Agriculture, farmers and the meat processors to help alleviate the dispute between farmers and meat processors over beef prices.
ICMSA president Mr Pat O'Rourke, said Minister Walsh has a key role to play. Mr O'Rourke said that he had written to Mr Walsh strongly urging him to call a meeting of farm leaders and meat processors to address the low cattle prices.
"The increase last week of export refunds to Egypt is a welcome development. However, to get the benefit of this increase of the Egyptian market Irish beef exports to Egypt must be fully resumed. The Minister has a critical role to ensure that this happens without any further delay," said Mr O'Rourke.
Yesterday the Irish Farmers Association extended its protests at meat processors. No slaughtering has taken place today at the 11 plants, which account for half of the normal activity of the meat industry.
Mr John Smith, chief executive of the Irish Meat Association, told ireland.com: "I believe this campaign [by farmers] is misguided, misleading and irresponsible".
He said there had been damage done to the meat industry in the short, medium and long-term.