The organisation representing meat processors has confirmed that its members will drop legal threats against beef farmers after months of factory protests came to an end on Sunday.

Picketing by beef farmers has ended across the country.

Blockades are continuing at meat processing plants around the country as just four of the 20 pickets have been lifted.

A further 100 meat factory workers will today be temporarily laid off as blockades continue at beef processing plants across the country.

The decision comes after those picketing outside a Dawn Meats factory in Co Meath ceased their protest yesterday.

Pressure mounted on protesters to step down from beef factory picket lines across the country, after one such demonstration that had prompted legal threats came to an end.

Meat industry representatives say that they may look for Government support if blockades continue to stall beef production at factories across the country.

However, Hugh Doyle also warned that he has no control over protests and pickets at processing plants.

Farmers will see an immediate increase in the price they receive for their cattle following a deal with meat producers.

In a statement, Agriculture Minister Michael Creed said the talks have ended this afternoon.

Meat Industry Ireland, which pulled out of planned discussions last Monday, says it will attend the meeting at the Department of Agriculture in Dublin.

All sides in the beef dispute have been invited to the table for talks this evening.

Thousands of jobs in the meat industry could be lost due to the ongoing impasse between protesting farmers and processors.

Meat Industry Ireland is claiming that thousands of staff have been temporarily laid off at meat processing plants as the beef price dispute rumbles on.

Fears that the beef crisis may become entrenched have intensified after Meat Industry Ireland pulled out of planned talks.

Retailers will not take part in today's talks that are being facilitated by the Minister for Agriculture.

Farmer's group, Beef Plan Movement says the "peaceful protests" will begin over the coming days, with stores such as Tesco, Dunnes and SuperValue among those likely to be picketed.

The Government has been urged to directly intervene in the beef price crisis amid escalating court actions and wildcat protests outside processing facilities around the country.

With some protesters continuing to defy court injunctions some processors sought to obtain attachment and committal orders that could lead to farmers involved in protest action being arrested.

Meat Industry Ireland said it is very disappointing that protests have resumed at a small number of beef processing sites.

Vice-Chairman of the Beef Plan West Region David Whelehan told RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland that following consultations with members they concluded that despite a few small gains, the main key issues have not been addressed in an adequate or meaningful way.

So that’s nearly Wednesday wrapped up. Here’s some of the stories we published on irishexaminer.com today which we hope will help you make sense of it all this evening.

Talks aimed at resolving the impasse between farmers and beef producers were continuing late last night.

Meat Industry Ireland, the Irish Farmers Association and the Beef Plan Movement are among those attending the talks in Celbridge.

The Beef Plan Movement said it has no immediate plans for more protests in their dispute with meat factories.

Beef Plan Movement delivers 13-point proposal as discussions on resolving price dispute get under way

The President of the Irish Farmer's Association wants retailers to attend today's talks which aim to resolve the ongoing beef dispute.

Despite stepping back from protest flash points, there is little sense that the Beef Plan Movement is losing its appetite for the pickets that have hit meat production plants across the country over the past two weeks.

Tensions between protesting beef farmers and meat producers have escalated after an industry body said its members will seek legal action against the farmers who have been picketing outside factories causing significant production problems and layoffs.

Beef farmers protesting at the gates of meat factories across the country say they have been emboldened by the support they have received from the public — some of whom have joined their ranks at the picket lines.

The ongoing disagreement over beef pricing shows no sign of resolution as farmers reject the Government’s offer of talks.

The head of Meat Industry Ireland, Cormac Healy has called on protesters at meat processing plants to call off their action and to allow businesses to get back to work.

The President of the Irish Farmers Association is calling for an immediate solution to the row that has led to more than a hundred job-losses.

Protestors are calling on the organisers of this weekend’s Tullamore Show in Co Offaly, to withdraw its invitation to Agriculture Minister Michael Creed over an ongoing dispute over the price of beef paid to farmers.

Trucks and cars beep their horns in solidarity as they glance past the ABP Food Group factory north of Bandon — and the makeshift camp that is now nearly two weeks old.

A farmer has been taken to hospital after being hit by a lorry at a protest at a beef factory in Co. Meath.

Farmers today blocked the entrance to the APB Meat Plant in Bandon, West Cork to highlight their frustration with dropping meat prices.

The country's largest farming association has sought an urgent meeting with the Taoiseach amid growing fears for the beef sector following the Mercosur deal Beef Plan.

Farmers are exiting suckler production and beef cattle finishing in unprecedented numbers, according to the Beef Plan Movement.

The Beef Plan Movement is in Munster for the next forthnight, with four public meetings arranged in its quest to engage with over 40,000 farmers throughout Ireland, and to explain and to improve their 86-point plan for redressing shortfalls, obstacles and difficulties confronting Irish beef farmers.