Up to 3,000 workers at meat processing plants nationwide have been temporarily laid off.
Meat Industry Ireland says its members have been forced to make the lay-offs as farmers continue to blockade factories.
Plants say the decision to stop processing operations were not taken lightly, but they have been forced into the action.
MII says 80% of overall processing capacity has now closed, with further closures and layoffs likely over the coming days.
Talks aimed at resolving the dispute over beef prices were due to get underway last night.
MII pulled out of the talks citing the continued blockades by beef farmers.
