IFA holds largest protest in 14 years
Print18 October 2012
An estimated 20,000 farmers marched through Dublin city centre earlier this month in a demonstration organised by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) to highlight grievances.
The "Day of Action" was the biggest protest held by farmers in 14 years and proved to be twice the size predicted by organisers.
Addressing farmers from a platform on Kildare Street, IFA president John Bryan said the large turnout sent "a clear and determined message to the government and the EU".
He added that a full Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget must be secured from the EU that works for active farmers and provides a rural development package to support vulnerable sectors and regions.
The IFA president highlighted that the farming sector supports 300,000 jobs and creates €9bn in exports but said it could only help deliver recovery and jobs "with the right policies and supports."
Bryan added that the CAP budget up to 2020 was under serious pressure and farmers expect the government to "hold the line in Europe and ensure that Ireland secures its current allocation of €1.6bn per year".
He said the decision on future CAP funding will be made at a meeting of the heads of government before Christmas, and Taoiseach Enda Kenny will be expected to deliver a full CAP budget.
On the domestic front, Bryan said previous Budget cuts to farm schemes have been totally disproportionate and have hit low-income farmers very hard.
Bryan also challenged the Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton to move immediately on the government commitment to regulate retailers and restore equity in the food supply chain.
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