Around 30 members of the IFA are continuing a sit-down protest inside the offices of Bord Bia in Dublin this evening, in an escalation of their protest calling for the removal of the agency's chair, Larry Murrin.
Gardaí are inside the building, on Pembroke Street in Ballsbridge, with the entrance doors closed.
They are not allowing anyone else inside, but are allowing any of the farmers already inside to leave if they wish.
However, it is understood there is a number of farmers inside who are prepared to stay indefinitely and have brought provisions with them.
Earlier, the IFA said its members entered the building at around 2pm "without any resistance" and were given access by Bord Bia staff.
Hay bales are being used to keep the entrance doors to the Bord Bia building propped open.
The IFA has been staging a protest outside the building since Monday of last week.
The protest is in response to Mr Murrin's company Dawn Farms, using some Brazilian beef in its meat products.
Farming groups - including the IFA and the group representing dairy farmers, the ICMSA - claim the situation creates a conflict of interest for Mr Murrin, given Bord Bia's role in promoting Irish food, and that he should step down as chair of the semi-state agency.
Dawn Farms said Brazilian beef made up less than 1% of its overall supply last year.
The IFA has said it will continue its protest until Mr Murrin leaves his role; however, he has repeatedly said he has no intention of stepping down.
IFA President Francie Gorman said the move by farmers to occupy the Bord Bia HQ "reflects the deep frustration and anger over the inaction by Bord Bia on this matter".
"It's over two weeks since I first raised this matter, and over a week since we began our protest outside the Bord Bia office in Dublin.
"Yet the Chair of Bord Bia and the Government have failed to recognise how this issue is undermining farmer confidence in Bord Bia.
"Our position has been quite clear on this: the position of the Chair is untenable given that he imports Brazilian beef," he added.
However, in a statement to RTÉ News, Bord Bia said it respects "anyone's right to protest but it is unacceptable and unprofessional to disrupt the work of Bord Bia staff.
"The situation was very intimidating for colleagues at reception, when a large group of farmers entered the building without permission and then refused to leave.
"These actions reflect poorly on the IFA and escalate a matter, which can only be resolved through dialogue.
"Bord Bia has formally asked the protestors to leave the building. They have refused to do so," it said.
A stand-off has developed between farmers and the Government over the issue, with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and Minister for Agriculture all giving Mr Murrin their full backing, maintaining he has done nothing wrong and highlighting his role in Bord Bia's work that has seen record exports of Irish agri-food products in recent years.
