Supermarket retailers have agreed to attend further talks at Beef Taskforce.

The second meeting of the taskforce marked the first attendance by representatives of the retail sector.

Farmers are continuing to call for an increase in the price they are being offered for their beef – with  protests spilling over into the capital in recent months.

Farmers have threatened further Dublin protests if the issue is not resolved.

The retailers have agreed to return to the taskforce in March when it is hoped market research into some of the criteria used to determine beef prices will be complete.

IFA President Joe Healy outside the Department of Agriculture, 09-01-2020. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

Speaking ahead of the meeting today, Irish farmers Association President Joe Healy said his members want progress on prices.

“We have highlighted the beef price index over the last number of months,” he said.

“We have seen that that has very clearly shown a wide gap in the price that is paid to Irish farmers and the price in the six European markets that 90% of our beef goes to.

“The meat factories haven’t passed that back on. Now the meat factories and the retailers need to show leadership in the sector.”

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed arriving for a Government cabinet meeting at the Marino Institute of Education in Dublin, 09-01-2020. Image: Brian Lawless/PA Wire/PA Images

In a statement, the Minister for Agriculture Michael creed said “substantial progress” has now been made in delivering on the commitments agreed during the meat factory blockades.

“I am pleased to see Irish retailers engaging constructively with the work of the Taskforce, as it is imperative that mutually beneficial relationships across the supply chain are maintained and developed to secure the future of Irish beef,” he said.

He said retailers had committed to engaging with an independent review on market and customer requirements in operation in the beef sector.