There was a unanimous call for urgent financial assistance for Northern Ireland farmers affected by the beef blockade during an emergency session on the issue at the Belfast Forum yesterday.
The Ulster Unionist, Mr David Campbell, chairman of the Forum's agricultural committee, demanded a meeting with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, "to urgently discuss what is to be done to rescue the Northern Ireland farmer, he who is the backbone of our economy and the guardian of our countryside and rural heritage".
Mr Campbell, a part-time beef farmer, said the continuing BSE crisis and the strength of sterling, which had removed export markets had resulted "in a drop in real farm incomes of an average of 37 per cent so far this year."
Heads nodded in response to Mr Campbell's lambasting of the European Commissioner, Mr Mario Monti, who threatened legal action against Britain for port blockades by farmers.
"On the basis of one day's protest by British farmers . . . Mr Monti threatened Britain with legal action. How dare Commissioner Monti threaten us," said Mr Campbell.
Farmers in south-west Scotland picketed the Stranraer and Cairnryan ferryports on Thursday evening to ensure Irish beef did not get through.
After negotiations with Ulster Farmers' Union representatives Scottish pickets allowed trucks carrying Northern Irish beef through the blockade.
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, the Rev Ian Paisley, said the government's reluctance to offer farmers aid was exacerbating the problem.
"This crisis is partly of the making of the government. There is the European Green Pound regulation, which could have been used to help the farmers, but the government is not prepared to dig into its own pockets."
Farmers were dealt a further blow when the government banned beef on the bone. "It won't stop me eating T-bone steaks. I think it is daft," said Dr Paisley. "How much of a cow is going to be available now?"
Dr Paisley, a Member of the European Parliament, accompanied by the Ulster Unionist MEP, Mr Jim Nicholson, met the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, yesterday to press for immediate aid, specific compensation for Northern Ireland farmers and inclusion in European intervention aid.
Next week's tender meeting to be held in Brussels will be crucial for Northern Ireland's beef industry. Fears continue to rise that if they are not included in EU tenders, Northern Ireland farmers may lose patience and take to the streets in protest.
Belfast butchers said they believed the full effect of the government's ban on beef on the bone will be felt around Christmas.
Following a meeting with industry leaders and Dr Mowlam, local farm leaders said they were hopeful the government would announce an aid package within the next five days.
Hundreds of farmers held a mass meeting in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, yesterday to discuss the crisis. The Ulster Farmers' Union president, Mr Walter Elliott, said: "The industry is facing its worst-ever crisis." He added that the poultry and pig industries were also under threat.
UFU leaders appealed to farmers for more time to resolve the crisis. The UFU will continue to negotiate with farmers and the government in an effort to avert street protests.