The long-running protests at meat factories across Ireland have been suspended.
Talks are to be held on Monday to try to resolve the dispute.
For 12 days, thousands of beef farmers have been picketing outside processing plants across Ireland in a dispute over prices.
Thanks to Edmund Graham @ICSAIreland for turning out at ABP Clones this morning to support our peaceful protest. Farmer unity is the key component in saving our beef industry #sucklers #beef #beefplanprotest pic.twitter.com/nRp3FUdf1S
— Irish Beef & Lamb Association - IBLA (@I_B_L_A) August 6, 2019
Meat Industry Ireland (MII) was threatening to take legal action to prevent further damage to the factories - 14 of which have temporarily closed.
Hundreds of staff had been temporarily laid off from three plants because of the effect of the protests.
However this evening, Agriculture Minister Michael Creed says both sides have agreed to suspend their protests and lawsuits immediately.
They've agreed to talks on Monday, involving both MII and the Beef Plan Movement, which was organising the protests.
The talks will also include farm organisations and the Department of Agriculture.
Minister Creed will appoint an independent chairperson, who will preside over an agreed agenda.
MII welcomed today's development, saying the protests have brought "beef processing to a virtual standstill" in the country.
