The Sinn Fein president has called for an island-wide "`code of principles and practices" for farm and commercial food processing.
Speaking at a meeting in west Tyrone, Mr Gerry Adams said: "The current crisis in our agricultural industry is not just a consequence of the foot-and-mouth problem. Other factors are also at work. Consequently, I believe we need the early creation of an island-wide code of principles and practices for farm and commercial food processing."
He also referred to the plight of farmers and others in the food and tourism industries. "We need to urgently examine ways in which farmers, hoteliers and others can be helped, both in the short term and the long term."
The Sinn Fein leader added: "There is a clear need to put quality back as the cornerstone of the Irish farm sector - from the decisions made by individual farmers, through to the food processors and abattoirs, and right down to the supermarkets and exporters."