Meat Industry Ireland has pulled out of talks aimed at resolving the dispute between farmers and meat factories over beef prices.
The talks had just re-convened in Kildare today.
MII says it won't take part in the discussions while beef farmers continue to blockade 20 meat processing plants across the country.
The body, which represents the beef, lamb, pigmeat and poultry processing sectors in Ireland, says it will not participate in the talks until all the blockades are lifted.
It has asked the Minister for Agriculture to use his best endeavours to have them lifted and allow talks to continue.
