Officials meet to discuss beef prices

Officials from the Government, the IFA, the ICMSA, IBEC and the Irish Meat Association are in talks this afternoon about the price paid to Irish farmers for beef supplied to meat processors.

The Irish prices are among the lowest in the EU.

IFA president John Dillon said farmers are seeking the EU average prices of 'a pound per pound' for cattle.

He said anything less will force some farmers out of business.

Meanwhile, IMA spokesman John Smith blamed EU labelling legislation and the importation of South American beef into the EU for the low prices paid to Irish farmers.