A resolution was passed today (Monday, March 11) by Cavan county councillors that recognises the “significant contribution” of farmers to the Irish economy.
Members of the Cavan branch of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) gathered at Cavan Courthouse in Cavan ahead of the county council meeting.
The gathering was part of the IFA’s ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign, and saw up to 50 farmers at the steps of the courthouse, joined by the Cavan IFA county chair Maurice Brady and Frank Brady, the regional chair for Ulster/North Leinster.
Both IFA representatives addressed the members of Cavan County Council ahead of their scheduled meeting.
Maurice Brady said: “Over the past number of weeks, farmers across mainland Europe have been voicing their anger and frustration at the ever-increasing administrative burden being placed on farmers which have had a major impact on farm family incomes.
“These frustrations have broadened into anger with European and national lawmakers over the massive increase in regulations relating to agriculture.
“The EU, the Irish Government and local Government are devising policies far from the farm gate with little or no consideration of the direct impact on farmers.
Issues surrounding the Nature Restoration Law, the Mercasour trade deal, payment delays, the nitrates derogation, Ireland’s forestry policy, and VAT rebates for farmers, were just some of those raised by the Cavan IFA county chair.
“We are asking your county council to do your utmost to highlight the issues raised and seek a fundamental reset of how farm policy is devised and implemented both at the EU and in Ireland.,” he added.
Frank Brady then spoke to the council members, where he asked them are farmers “going back to the landlord system?” due to the high number of regulations to be complied with, and “too much red-tape”.
He called for the resolution to support farmers to be passed by the county council of the county that has over 25% of the working population involved in agri-related jobs.
The IFA representatives spoke in front of Cavan County Council where they put forward the following resolution they asked to be approved.
The IFA proposed resolution read:
“Cavan County Council supports the IFA ‘enough is enough’ campaign.
“The council recognises the significant contribution that farming, and the agri-sector makes to the Irish and local economy.
“The council acknowledges the income challenge on Irish farmers arising from significant increases in the cost of doing business, regulatory costs and cuts in Basic Income support for farmers.
“The Council calls on the government to introduce no further regulations on farmers or any measures that may increase costs on farms without full negotiation and agreement with the Irish Farm Association (IFA).
“The Council calls on the European Union and the Irish Government to provide additional stand-alone funding, separate to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), to support farmers to undertake climate and biodiversity measures.”
Councillors temporarily suspended standing orders to unanimously support the resolution.
Supporting farmers
Similar scenes were seen in Co. Clare, as Clare IFA made a presentation today to Clare County Councilors to highlight the issues in the agri sector as part of the ongoing ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign.
Meanwhile, Wexford IFA held a protest outside of Wexford County Council before making a presentation to councilors to highlight the concerns of farmers as part of the IFA’s ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign.
In the south-west, Kerry county councillors have today unanimously backed an emergency motion offering their support to farmers.
The motion was raised as members of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) in Kerry gathered outside Kerry County Council offices in Tralee ahead of the monthly meeting of the local authority.
Around 20 farmers and several tractors took part in the demonstration as part of the latest phase of the IFA’s ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign.