Some 38 per cent of French consumers interviewed on behalf of An Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, said they would refuse to buy Irish beef, it emerged yesterday.
The research also found that 31 per cent of Italians did not want to eat Irish beef.
The surveys were carried out immediately after the outbreak of the latest BSE crisis on the continent.
The research found a high awareness of the disease in both countries, while in France 67 per cent of consumers said they would refuse beef from the UK and 40 per cent would refuse beef from Belgium.
Ireland came third for French refusals at 38 per cent; the Netherlands next on 36 per cent, with Spain and Germany on 32 per cent.
Some 21 per cent of the French would not eat home produced beef.
Irish beef also came third for refusals in Italy where French beef topped the list, with 72 per cent of Italians saying they would refuse to eat it. Beef from the UK was second on 57 per cent, with Ireland third on 31 per cent. The extent of the damage caused to the beef markets in continental Europe was outlined at a meeting with beef farmers on Tuesday night by Mr Michael Deely of An Bord Bia.
Market research showed that beef consumption in France was down by between 50 to 60 per cent at supermarkets and 30 per cent in butchers' shops.
Exports from France were down to zero and imports had virtually ceased, with only small amounts of Irish beef going there in the past two weeks.
Mr Deely said French cattle stocks were building up in feedlots with 106,000 fewer animals slaughtered in the past month compared to the same period last year.
In Italy, slaughterings were down by 50-60 per cent. Consumption had slumped by 40 per cent and Irish imports by 90 per cent.
In the Netherlands, consumption had fallen by 10-15 per cent and Irish exports have been reduced. In Spain, slaughterings had fallen by 50 to 70 per cent and consumption had slumped by 60 per cent.
Irish imports were down by 85 per cent, and orders were slowing down.
The crisis has created a new market as all animals over 30 months have been devalued compared to pre-BSE crisis levels. There are some outlets for them but at prices ranging from 78-82p.
However, there is a very strong demand for market-ready bullocks under 30 months, which are needed for the UK market.
Beef farmers are receiving up to 88p for top grade animals and 83p for ordinary grades.