Simon Coveney, the Republic of Ireland's minister for agriculture, has called for meat factories to exercise flexibility in dealing with farmers over weight specifications for buying cattle.

Speaking at a meeting with the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) concerning the country's beef crisis, Coveney believes the move is necessary to "allow a window for constructive engagement between the parties on both immediate and strategic issues that is essential if the sector is to develop to its potential".

In recent months, cattle prices have fallen significantly as weight and age specifications for cattle are being strictly enforced. Hence, farmers were unable to find a market for animals that were sought after a year ago. The situation has prompted IFA in demanding for immediate progress as farmers grew frustrated over reduced income.

IFA's livestock chairman, Henry Burns, said that he had urged Coveney to remove restrictions impeding the live export trade to Northern Ireland, the Republic's nearest market.

Addressing the legitimate concerns of beef farmers, Coveney said that time is needed for these individuals to adjust to changed market circumstances, and encouraged farmers and processors to step up their engagement. "Processors need to keep efficient beef specialists in this vital export industry, and every effort should be made to ensure that this sector is developed and nurtured", Coveney stated.