Poultry farmers in Monaghan have been told to prove they're in need of workers from outside the EU.
The sector was excluded from a recent relaxation of laws that saw additional permits granted for a number of industries to recruit people from beyond the European Economic Area.
The IFA said the high concentration of poultry farms in the area meant it wasn't being taken seriously as a national issue.
Senator Robbie Gallagher raised the issue with Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan in the Seanad this morning.
The Minister clarified that the criteria states the sector must be able to show that employees can't be sourced within Ireland or the EU.
Senator Gallagher told Shannonside Northern Sound that he'll be following up on this to ensure the labour shortage is rectified.
