Failure to arrive to a resolution between farmers and factories on Monday could lead to further protests, Eamon Corley of the Beef Plan Movement has told the Irish Farmers Journal.

Corley believes there is potential for Monday's talks to be just a "talking shop" with no lasting resolve expected.

“I would prefer if factory owners and leading retailers attend Monday's talks as I can’t see a lasting solution without their input.

“Two weeks of protesting shouldn’t have been necessary for these talks to be arranged. Minister Creed has only stepped in when factory workers began losing their jobs, it isn’t for the farmers' benefit," he told the Irish Farmers Journal at Tullamore Show.

“The pickets have been postponed until after talks as requested by the minister. It is up to the farmers to return to the picket after the talks if we don’t find a resolution.”

Senior members of the Beef Plan Movement have received legal letters warning of an injunction as a result of the protests and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has also written to the group.

On Monday, the Beef Plan Movement, other farm organisations and Meat Industry Ireland (MII) will sit down to discuss the current issues in the beef industry.