Independent TD Carol Nolan has said that she fully understands the decision of IFA farmers and others to engage in a co-ordinated series of nationwide protests today.
The Laois/Offaly TD’s comments came as farmers in Ireland said they would protest this evening in support of demonstrations across Europe by farmers angry at policies they say are harming their livelihood.
Deputy Nolan went on to say that it the move was a last-ditch effort to “highlight their fury and frustration at the apparent indifference of the EU institutions particularly with regard to the impact of agricultural and environmental policies:
“Farmers are battle weary and they have been left with no option but to engage in these protests as a last resort,” said Deputy Nolan.
“They and their families are sick and tired of rhetorical sleights of hand when it comes to talk about ‘valuing and supporting our farmers’ while at the same time watching as the EU and government implement policies that are routinely making it more and more difficult for them to survive.”
“There is a bureaucratic model of farming deeply embedded in the EU and here in Ireland that is light years away from the kind of hands-on understanding that is required to allow our farmers and indeed the entire agri-sector to thrive going forward.”
“These protests today are an act of solidarity with the EU farmers who can also see quite clearly where these policies are going to lead.”
“It is time for the EU and our own government to wake-up because the path we are on at the moment is one of conflict, loss of productivity, increased food insecurity and devastation to livelihoods,” concluded Deputy Nolan.