Farming organisations are welcoming a breakthrough in the long-running beef dispute.

Talks will be held on Monday between both sides, after the intervention of Agriculture Minister Michael Creed.

Thousands of farmers in the Beef Plan Movement had been picketing outside meat factories for 12 days in a dispute over prices.

Meat Industry Ireland was threatening to take legal action to prevent further damage to the factories - 14 of which have closed.

On Friday night, both sides agreed to suspend their protests and legal actions immediately.

IFA president Joe Healy says it is a step in the right direction: "The fact that Meat Industry Ireland has put aside their legal threat and agreed sit around the table is a start.

"Let's see what can be achieved - and hopefully something constructive for Irish farmers can be achieved because Irish beef farming is in a very difficult position".

Eddie Punch, the general-secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA), also welcomed the news.

He says: "It gives us space for meaningful talks.

"The meat industry has to realise that business as usual is not working - and ICSA will be insisting that they come to the table with concrete proposals to address the grievances of our members, and all the other farmers who have stood outside factory gates for the last two weeks".

Meat Industry Ireland says the protests had caused real damage to the domestic and export business.