The blockades of Irish food products at British ports will be discussed at the EU Transport Council of Ministers this week. As pressure mounted on the Government, the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, said the wildcat actions of British farmers and disruption of road transport were costing hauliers dear and threatening future export orders.
Road transport was now seen as an easy target in various disputes and it was becoming increasingly difficult for Ireland to benefit from the EU internal market.
"If the Single Market is to mean anything, a way of ensuring free movement of goods must be found.
"We cannot continue to allow a central principle of the European Union to be violated in this way," said Ms O'Rourke.
The IFA president, Mr John Donnelly, called on the Government to ensure the unimpeded access of food products to the British market.
He also asked Irish people to make clear that the blockade was unacceptable and very damaging to the Irish economy.
The tactics employed by farmers at British ports were "flagrantly flouting the law and have been facilitated by the British police and the British government".
Mr Donnelly said: "After a week of blockading which has made the case for the Welsh farmers, the Taoiseach and the Government must now take a tough line with the British authorities and insist that the rule of law is upheld to allow for the free movement of goods as guaranteed by the European Community and the Treaty of Rome."
ICMSA president Mr Frank Allen called on the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, to demand immediate EU intervention to eliminate the threat of a trade war between Ireland and Britain.
Mr Ahern should make contact with the European Agriculture Commissioner, Mr Franz Fischler, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, to resolve the controversy.
Meanwhile, he welcomed the withdrawal yesterday of pickets by farmers at Fishguard and the winding down of pickets at Holyhead and urged all farmers to follow the example of their colleagues at Fishguard.