The Irish Farmers Alliance (IFA) this morning stepped up protests over nitrate rules, holding a demonstration at the Fianna Fáil ‘think-in’ in Thurles, Co Tipperary.
The organisation also has plans to protest a Fine Gael event later this week.
The IFA, which seeks to protect and defend the interest of Irish farmers at home and in Europe, say that the government is “out of touch” with farmers and with rural Ireland. Farmers gathered in large numbers outside the Horse and Jockey Hotel in Thurles today to protest the cut to the nitrates derogation, delayed payments, delayed payments to farmers, and issues with the suckler scheme, with these concerns impacting both the sheep and tillage sector.
Today’s meeting saw a breakthrough, with the Tánaiste agreeing to meet with a delegation from the IFA.
IFA President @TimCullinan_IFA with Tanaiste @MichealMartinTD & Minister @McConalogue in Horse & Jockey this morning. Meeting underway with @IFAmedia delegation. pic.twitter.com/JwdrUuNhlO
— Irish Farmers' Association (@IFAmedia) September 11, 2023
This morning’s action follows a picket of a meeting at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine last Thursday, with the action highlighting the “deep frustration” felt by farmers over the cut to the nitrates limit and Minister for Agriculture’s plan to delay payments to farmers in 2023.
The IFA, who had been invited to the meeting to discuss issues with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, decided to protest it instead, saying that the time for discussion had passed.
IFA President Tim Cullinan, in a message to the Agriculture Minister, said that Irish farmers are “not going to lose the dairy industry.”
“Remember where you are here this morning, you’re in the golden vale, the heart of farming in ireland. It’s the heartbeat of rural Ireland down here in Tipperary,” Mr Cullinan told the Minister.
“Years ago we lost the beet industry and by God, Minister, we are not going to lose the dairy industry,” the IFA President said.
“We have a number of key points, and you know that our team put a very, very credible proposal together, and we want that proposal going back to Brussels. And as I said to you yesterday, we want you to get the officials in the commission to come over here to Ireland and to see what we’re doing,” he added.
“Remember what we have here: We have a grass-based system here in Ireland which is unique right around the world […] That’s what we’re about and we want to continue doing that. But look, we’re at a point of no more negotiations until you’re willing to put the real issues back on the table,” Mr Cullinane said.
Speaking at today’s picket, the group stepped up calls for action, with Mr Cullinan stating it was a disgrace that agriculture was not on the agenda at the meeting. He told protestors that there would be “no engagement” with the Minister for Agriculture until Tanaiste Micheál Martin agreed to a meeting with the group.
“My understanding was agriculture was not going to be on the agenda here today, but by God it’s on the agenda now, and it’s going to be on the agenda from now until the end of the year until we make progress,” he said.
“Be very clear, no engagement with the Minister this morning. He can go back into his think tank inside or whatever they’re doing in there, but we’re not [engaging] until we get to Michael Martin and have a proper meeting to discuss the very serious issues around this sector which have to be put right, and this is the start of what may be a long campaign.
“It’s up to Fianna Fail in there, and this government, to get back into proper negotiations with us as a people representing farmers,” he told the crowd.
Following his remarks, an Tanaiste Michael Martin told Mr Cullinane “we want to engage” with farmers on the issues highlighted – agreeing to meet with the IFA inside the hotel in the last couple of hours.
Ahead of Monday’s protest, Mr Cullinan said Minister Charlie McConalogue and the Government are out of touch with farmers and rural Ireland.
“This Minister is in office. but not in control of his Department. He makes announcements first and then pretends to consult with farmers later. Thursday’s meeting was another example of this. It came a day after his announcement which followed a video call with the relevant EU Commissioner. This was a pathetic attempt on such an important issue. He needs to get on a plane and sit down with the Commissioner,” Mr Cullinan said.
“It’s not just the delayed payments and the Nitrates Derogation cut. There are numerous other examples of the Minister’s failure to take farmers’ views on board. These include the design of the latest suckler scheme; issues in the sheep sector; the destruction of tillage through the CAP; the inability to draw down BAR funding; and the forestry debacle. They are all examples of a Minister who doesn’t appear to be in control,” he added.
“Every approach this Government has taken is based on an ideology of reducing production. They keep talking about schemes to support farmers, but most of it goes on compliance costs, with little or no money funding ending up with farm families,” he said.
“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are sacrificing farmers to stay in power. We will send a strong message that farmers and rural Ireland have been completely let down by the Government parties. They then need to stand up for farmers and rural Ireland.”
Posting to X following the meeting, the IFA gave an update this afternoon, saying it had met with the Tánaiste – but that it was continuing its protest, and that “no commitments” had been given regarding desired action.
The IFA Protest continues at the Fianna Fáil think in at the Horse and Jockey. We met the leader of Fianna Fáil earlier and while he agreed to reflect on the issues he gave us no commitments. pic.twitter.com/9FEEtCXRRs
— Irish Farmers' Association (@IFAmedia) September 11, 2023
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