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A second attempt at talks between farmers and factories is planned for next Monday.
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed TD has confirmed that he will facilitate new talks between all parties to the beef dispute on Monday.
Speaking on Thursday morning, the Minister said: “There has been significant engagement with stakeholders throughout the duration of this dispute and I believe that there is now a basis for the renewal of talks between the parties.
"We have reached a point where it is critically important for the future of the sector that stakeholders engage in a spirit of compromise to resolve a dispute that has the potential to inflict long-term damage on the sector if it continues.
"It is clear that this can only happen if processors and protesters step back from court proceedings and illegal blockades in order to allow space for meaningful talks to proceed.”
Legal proceedings
Meat Industry Ireland (MII) has said its members will defer legal proceedings against farmers to allow talks to happen.
The Beef Plan Movement and a separate representative group for protesting farmers, the Independent Farmers of Ireland, both sought talks and the cessation of legal action on Wednesday.
On Thursday morning, MII said: "If a process of engagement can now be secured by the Minister, MII members will defer further legal proceedings, so that these talks can happen. We expect that protest action at the plants will equally be suspended."
ABP became the first processor to drop legal action against farmers when it agreed to strike out proceedings against seven named farmers in Cahir.
ABP senior management had face-to-face talks with farmers from Cahir before the legal action was dropped.
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