Following farming protests in Co. Galway today (Monday, March 25) and meetings with local county councillors, Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) Galway chair, Stephen Canavan said that “morale is still low” in the sector.
Over 50 farmers and “a couple of tractors” gathered from noon onwards outside Galway County Council offices to form part of the ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign.
10 farmers joined Canavan in the chamber to address councillors, where farmers’ requests were “supported” by most present councillors.
Canavan said that the branch specifically raised issues in relation to planning perission and red tape.
He said the issue of ash dieback was also discussed, along with nature restoration.
Canavan said that the support from councillors was “welcome”, but that farmers are “tired” of all the extra workload at what he said was already a busy time of the year.
“I don’t know if the legislatures realise just how difficult our predicaments are with extra workload and climate ambition,” Canavan said.
IFA branches in counties Donegal, Mayo, and Limerick also met with councillors today.
County protests
The main issue raised by Donegal IFA surrounded the market for wool and dog wardens.
Donegal IFA chair, Joe Sweeney said although the county has the most amount of sheep in Ireland, that there is only one dog warden.
Sweeney said that issues of dogs not being microchipped in the area was also brought up, along with increasing the wool market.
Frank Brady also told Agriland that the IFA in Donegal are calling for wool to be used for insulation.
Around 25 farmers attended the protest and meeting, where Brady said councillors gave a “warm welcome”.
“We got the message of agriculture’s importance across to the councillors and we feel that they did appreciate ours asks.
We hope that when elections are happening, they will keep their promises and agree to look after rural Ireland,” Brady said.
In common with a lot of other counties, Mayo IFA branch discussed further support for maintenance of rural roads; Issues surrounding greenways; Ash dieback; and Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) with county councillors.
Mayo IFA chair, John Lynskey said there were about 20 farmers in the chamber, with more gathered outside and four tractors to stage a protest.
Similarly, in Co. Limerick, branch chair, Seán Lavery said late payments and Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) complexities were discussed.
Lavery said the nitrates derogation was also brought up, with the county “heavily dependent” on the dairy sector.
He added that ash dieback was also dicsussed between farmers and councillors, with 10.5% of forestry cover in the county including ash dieback.