A tractor convoy is causing traffic disruption in Cork this morning.
Members of the Irish Farmers Association have gathered at County Council offices as part of their ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign.
The IFA feel there is huge uncertainty around the future of farming and believes red tape is burdening the industry with extra costs.
Conor O'Leary of the IFA in Cork said he expects support for the campaign will grow.
“We just couldn’t launch any kind of protest or lobbying that’s far away from farmers at the moment,” he said.
“Farmers are very, very busy; they may be able to take an hour off from the farm but that’s about all at the moment.
“But I do see the nature of this protest developing further than the county and going to a more national type of structure.”
IFA Munster Regional Chair Conor O'Leary addressing the crowd outside Cork County Hall today. #EnoughIsEnough pic.twitter.com/na2vOc1Vw5
— Irish Farmers' Association (@IFAmedia) February 26, 2024
Earlier this month, a convoy of farmers brought much of Waterford to a standstill and follows demonstrations across the European Union.
In a statement, IFA President Francie Gorman said Irish farmers remain pro-EU but there is “mounting frustration” at the way European law is impacting their livelihoods.
“Farmers here have been watching the protests across Europe,” Mr Gorman said.
“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.”
📍Cork County Hall #EnoughIsEnough pic.twitter.com/4G4oHUsZYD
— Irish Farmers' Association (@IFAmedia) February 26, 2024
Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast last month, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said the Government has “delivered for farmers”.
"I think it's fair to say that it's always the role of farm representative organisation to keep Government's feet to the fire,” he said.
"I've never yet heard a representative organisation say to a Minister or the Government, 'That's OK, you're doing enough now you can go a bit easier'.
"It'll always be the case that they'll be putting it up to us and keeping the pressure on, and rightly so, that's their role.”
In 2021, Ireland’s 137,500 farms were worth more than €8.2 billion to the economy.
Main image: Farmers protest in Cork. 26/02/2024. Image by: Red FM
