Tractors, trailers, 4X4s and machinery of all sorts have gathered at various locations across the country and are currently on route to Dublin for the tractor protest taking place today.
The tractor protest is being organised by a number of individual farmers and will take to the streets of Dublin today, Tuesday, November 26, organisers have confirmed.
In a brief statement on the matter, one organiser outlined to AgriLand that it has been arranged for farmers protesting on foot to meet at Merrion Square for 11:00am, with protesters on tractors meeting at 12:00pm.
The video above shows tractors leaving Yores Garage, Maghera Co. Cavan. The service station offered the farmers breakfast rolls before they left for Dublin.
The protesters have outlined six key issues of contention which has led them to demonstrate.
- Carbon tax;
- Protecting family farms;
- Barriers preventing the Beef Market Taskforce;
- Reform of state agencies;
- Neglect of rural Ireland; and
- The dairy bull calf issue.
It was highlighted that family farms must be protected to ensure sustainable incomes, while calls have also been made for the removal of barriers that are preventing the convening of the Beef Market Taskforce.
A “root-and-branch reform of state agencies” including Teagasc and Bord Bia has been called for, while organisers are also criticising the “overall Government neglect” of rural areas in relation to services and infrastructure.
Finally, the organisers have pointed to the issue of dairy bull calves, which farmers are facing this spring, criticising “low-value bull calves which there is no market for”.
It is not yet known how many tractors will attend the protest in Dublin today. However, stay tuned to AgriLand for further updates on this story.