Deputy Ó Cúiv said, "Artificial barriers have been put in place by powerful interests, which are having a detrimental impact on farmers all over the country. There is now a need to take on these interests".

"We have seen in recent months a crisis in the beef trade, pressure on liquid milk farmers and totally unfair practices in relation to fruit and vegetables where produce is being sold at a below cost price."

"Fianna Fáil believes it is vital that the EU acts to protect guarantees to farmers enshrined in the Lisbon treaty," he added.

As an immediate relief, Fianna Fáil is proposing the introduction of a €200 per head payment for one year for farmers under the Beef Genomics Scheme. The party says it would attract more farmers into the scheme and give some assistance financially to farmers who are losing money on beef cattle.