Farmers bring town town toast and still

October 2009

WICKLOW TOWN was brought to a standstill on Monday when a 95-strong tractorcade slowly passed through the town to highlight Government cuts and the devastating impact collapsing farm incomes have had on the local rural economy.

Farmers from all over the county gathered at the Farmer’s co- op in Ashford at 12 noon and headed through Rathnew by tractor on their way to Wicklow town, although locals said the disruption was little worse than that already being caused by numerous sets of road works.

Wicklow IFA County Chairman, James Hill, said a combination of poor market prices for all commodities, a disastrous and wet summer and repeated Government cuts to schemes had all combined and farm income prices are expected to fall by 25 per cent in 2009.

This combined with a 13 per cent reduction in 2008 means that farm incomes will have fallen by 35 per cent over the past two years.

‘Agriculture is vital to the rural economy and is the largest indigenous industry in this county. Every town in Wicklow is dependent on agriculture and the income collapse will lead to significant downturn in business across the rural economy and the Government must take immediate action to address this issue,’ said Mr. Hill.

He added that the tractorcade was further evidence of the anger of farmers who are facing into a winter of cash shortages, while trying to provide for families and keep their business afloat.

Minister Brendan Smith said he acknowledges the difficulties facing farmers and has been consistently working with both the Government and at EU level to alleviate problems the sector faces.