The Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has said a collective response to the horsemeat crisis is the main focus at a meeting in Brussels.

Calls are being made for pressure to be increased on Iceland and the Faroe Islands over their fishing of mackerel in the North Atlantic.

High-level EU leaders have a clear warning that young farmers in Ireland need help.

SINGLE farm payments in excess of €5,000 will be cut 10% by 2012, rising from 5% at present.