Sheep farmers from the Cooley peninsula in Co Louth protested in Dublin today about what they see as inconsistencies in compensation payments made to cover foot and mouth losses.
They accused the Department of Agriculture of ruining their reputation.
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Mr John Elmore, who led the protest of about 100 farmers, was also critical of the Irish Farmers' Association. He said the IFA "misrepresented" them in talks with the Government on compensation. He asked: "How could they represent us if they didn't even ask us what level of compensation we wanted?"
"The Department seems to have recognised that the IFA has the sole right to negotiate and we were left sitting out. It's a question of mandate and we came up here today to show we have a strong mandate."
He added: "The IFA should either come inside and help us with our case or step aside and leave us to it."
Mr Elmore also alleged inconsistencies in compensation figures, quoting amounts from £120 to £240 for the same type of animal. "These were healthy sheep that were taken out and slaughtered to save the country."
But IFA Co Louth chairman Mr Raymond O Malley said the frustration and loss that led to the protest was fully understandable and he shared the frustration at the failure of the Department to deal with them "fairly and openly".
Mr O Malley, who also attended the protest, said he was demanding an immediate independent appeals system on compensation to see justice is done and the livelihoods of farmers in Cooley are secured for the future.
He also called for hardship payments from the Disease Eradication Fund similar to payments made to farmers whose cattle herds are lowered.
The protesting farmers are also angry over a Government statement made on May 4th which said some Co Louth sheep farmers were fraudulently claiming premiums for non-existent sheep.
Mr Elmore accepted there were rogue farmers and said the practice was "excessive" and "has to be condemned" but it was not fair to punish all the farmers in the area for the actions of a few. "We're here today to distance ourselves from the rogues - don't tarnish us."
The Department of Agriculture says compensation was based on the market value of the animals. A review of evaluations up to May 14th was conducted in a fair and balanced manner, the Department said.
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IFA President Mr Tom Parlon.
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Also today the IFA criticised last night's EU agreement to help beef farmers to cope with the transition from the purchase-for-destruction scheme to intervention after July 1st.
IFA president Mr Tom Parlon said the agreement failed to address the imbalance in the beef sector from the EU BSE fallout. He said the decisions taken did nothing more than impose budgetary cuts on hard-pressed beef producers.
Mr Parlon said the IFA would be holding the Minister for Agriculture Mr Walsh responsible for delivering on the promised intervention support measures in the autumn.