A special task force is to be set up by the Minister for Agriculture to examine the future of the beef industry, writes Sean MacConnell, Agriculture Correspondent.
Mr Walsh said the structures and problems of the sector "had to be sorted out once and for all". The task force will be headed by the Secretary General of his Department, Mr John Malone.
The Minister said he expected a blueprint for a more stable industry early in the new year. The task force will have input from all sectors of the industry, which has been under severe strain since the BSE crisis of 1996.
Mr Frank Allen, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association, said it welcomed the announcement provided it was an action task force rather than another talking shop.