The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern has been asked to intervene in the latest beef crisis which has seen cattle prices fall to 80p a lb because of the Russian monetary crisis and lack of live export markets, writes Sean MacConnell, Agriculture Correspondent.
No Irish beef has gone to Russia for the last two weeks and this has led to a glut on animals on the market and a fall of up to 10p a lb.
Russia is Ireland's third-largest outlet for beef and last year exports were worth over £90 million, with the sale of 72,000 tonnes of product.
The Irish Farmers' Association president, Mr Tom Parlon, said the current conditions were now so critical that the Mr Ahern must take charge.
He suggested that the EU should immediately increase export refunds for carcass beef and live cattle. Emergency intervention and APS support should be secured. He accused the meat plants of using the Russian situation as an excuse to lower cattle prices and said the 80p a lb being paid yesterday was outrageous.