A combine harvester has joined the Irish Farmers’ Association’s (IFA) protest outside the headquarters of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Dublin city this morning, July 10.
The combine arrived on Kildare Steet at around 11:00am. It joins a tractor and tanker combination outside the department building.
The machine was greeted by a large contingent of IFA protesters; a total of eight 4X4 round bales of straw were also placed outside the building last week.
IFA protesters have organised a combine to arrive at Department HQ this morning!
Posted by Agriland on Monday, 10 July 2017
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A number of flags from the various IFA branches around the country supporting the protest now proudly decorate the bales and the building.
Image source: Finbarr O’Rourke
Four members of the IFA Grain Committee – Liam Dunne from Co. Kildare, who is the chairman of the committee; James Hill from Co. Wicklow; Peter Lynch from Co. Donegal; and Kieran McEvoy from Co. Laois – have made the department building their home over the past few days.
Image source: Finbarr O’Rourke
It is also rumoured that other machinery could arrive if the IFA and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, cannot come to an agreement.
Image source: Finbarr O’Rourke
Image source: Finbarr O’Rourke
Protest
The grain committee members are protesting over reports that payments under a proposed tillage crisis fund would be capped at a maximum of €5,000 per farmer.
Standing atop the harvester was IFA President, Joe Healy, who insisted a maximum cap of this level was not acceptable.
Live from Department HQ
Posted by Agriland on Monday, 10 July 2017
The IFA had been under the impression that payments would be capped at €15,000 per farmer – the maximum allowed under EU regulations.
Image source: Finbarr O’Rourke
Image source: Finbarr O’Rourke
Image source: Finbarr O’Rourke
The department has recently said that details of such a scheme have yet to be finalised and published.