Agribusiness faces twin challenges on prices in the coming months - from pounds to euros and from imperial to metric. "The move is going to take a bit of getting used to. It's going to be a short, sharp learning curve," IFA president Mr Tom Parlon said yesterday when the main agribusiness organisations introduced their code of practice for the euro changeover.

Livestock prices are still quoted primarily in pence per pound and milk prices are still quoted in pence per gallon. The IFA has recommended a complete switch to the metric system of kilos and litres from November 1st, just two months before the euro changeover.

"Farmers sell products valued at about £3.4 billion (€4.32 billion) and purchase inputs and services valued at about £2.5 billion annually," Mr Parlon said. "There is a massive amount of information to be taken on board."

Together with the IFA, the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, the Food and Drink Federation of IBEC, the Irish Meat Association, the Irish Grain and Feed Association and the Animal and Plant Health Association have signed up to the code.

It aims to ensure there is adequate dual display of prices; that no price advantage is sought by either buyer or seller; exact conversion at the fixed rate and the use of the metric system in price quotations and payments.

Mr John Smith, director of the Irish Meat Association, said the industry welcomed the change to the metric system. "It's important the changeover takes place in a smooth fashion with no loss to the producer or processor," he said.