A meeting between the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, and the EU Agriculture Commissioner, Mr Franz Fischler, on the beef crisis in Ireland has been described as "positive".
A spokesman for Mr Walsh said Mr Fischler had shown a deep understanding of the conditions in Ireland.
The 11/2-hour meeting took place yesterday against a background of rising cattle prices here. The price of prime animals has risen by about 5 p in the last eight days from a 20-year low.
The price increase was brought about by the EU beef management committee which has issued beef export licences for non-EU countries and there have been no further cuts in export refunds.
Mr Walsh and Mr Fischler discussed the position which will arise following the disposal of 10,000 tonnes of beef from EU intervention. Irish exporters fear that third-country markets may be depressed when the Union releases beef from intervention.
They also discussed the problems which might arise if bullocks which carried the EU grading 04 were no longer eligible for EU intervention. Mr Walsh said that in 1991, these animals accounted for only 7 per cent of beef stocks but last year this figure had grown to 28 per cent.
Live cattle exports were also discussed and the spokesman said the Commissioner indicated he would support Irish efforts in the live export trade.