Irish Farmers' Association (IFA)president John Dillon, whose supporters occupied a meat plant in Naas for seven hours on Wednesday, pledged yesterday to continue the campaign against beef imports from South America.
The sit-in action ended following what Mr Dillon called "a full and frank exchange of views" at a meeting between IFA and the Queally Group directors who operate the Dawn Farms plant.
"I conveyed to Peter Queally and Dan Browne the depth of anger among beef producers in this country who have seen prices collapse in the last six weeks.
"Meat factories have cut cattle prices by €150 per head since June, leaving over 50,000 beef farmers in a loss-making situation," he said.
"IFA is demanding that Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan introduce proper labelling at all hotels, restaurants and catering outlets. In addition, IFA is insisting on a limit on South American beef imports in the forthcoming WTO negotiations," he said.
There was better news for the beef industry yesterday when Ms Coughlan announced a new protocol with the Egyptian authorities which should facilitate the export of Irish beef there. She said the protocol provides for a reduction in the cost burden related to on-site inspections by Egyptian veterinary experts.
Meat Industry Ireland welcomed the new protocol but was concerned that following the cut in export refunds, Irish beef may not be competitive in this market.
