Irish farmers to show solidarity with farmers across Europe

Westmeath farmers are gathering this afternoon for a tractor protest that aims to “show solidarity with their counterparts in Europe”.

They will assemble today at Mullingar Equestrian Centre at 5pm and drive through the town.

A meeting of the IFA National Council yesterday evening agreed the action.

The IFA president Francie Gorman said: “Farmers here have been watching the protests across Europe, and they are just as frustrated by what is happening as farmers in other countries.

“They feel they are being regulated out of business by Brussels bureaucrats and Department of Agriculture officials who are far removed from the reality of day-to-day farming,” he said.

Today, we are providing an opportunity for farmers to show solidarity with farmers who are protesting in Germany, France, Belgium and other member states.

“Irish farmers are pro-EU, but there is mounting frustration about the impact of EU policy on European farmers, and its implementation here in Ireland. The general feeling among farmers across the EU is that ‘enough is enough,” he said.

The IFA president encouraged farmers to join in their local events.