The proposed levy on the beef industry to pay EU beef fines will punish farmers and ignore mistakes made by the Government, according to the IFA president, Mr John Donnelly.
In a statement yesterday, Mr Donnelly condemned the Minister for Agriculture's plan to recoup the fine. He said the policy was intended to deflect attention from the State's inability to "convince Brussels of this country's proper administration of intervention".
He called the Government's attitude "an unprecedented attack on the beef industry". The State should take legal action against "those responsible for malpractices".
Mr Donnelly called on Mr Yates to drop his proposal and said it would "bring the Government's credibility into serious question".
The ICMSA said it was also opposed to any levy. Its president, Mr Frank Allen, said the principle would not stand up legally.