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The Beef Plan Movement has called on processors to give farmers a commitment on base price to break the current impasse at factory gates.
The call comes as one processor has issued fresh legal action against the Beef Plan and one of its members.
Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Beef Plan spokesperson Dermot O’Brien said it had entered beef talks in good faith to find a solution.
He stressed that the Beef Plan supported the deal struck over the weekend.
“We gave a commitment to Minister Creed that we would approach the picket lines. We have been advising farmers that it is a good deal and we have been asking them to stand down.”
Farmers do not trust the meat processors. They are worried that factories will drop the base
Withdrawal
O’Brien said the resumption of legal action was unacceptable and he called for its withdrawal with immediate effect.
“If processors are not willing to give this deal a chance, then our beef industry is in serious trouble.
"We were beginning to gather momentum in moving protesters from the gates.
"They were beginning to consider ending the protests because they trust us.”
O’Brien said during engagement to move protesters off the pickets, the one sticking point was base price.
He explained: “Farmers do not trust the meat processors. They are worried that factories will drop the base to counteract any increases in bonuses that were given at the talks.”
He said in the last 24 hours factories had been approached to give a commitment on base price for three months.
“We need to allow farmers to return home, to their farms and to their families,” he said.
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