French protests a warning to Government - IFA
Widespread farmer unrest and protests across Europe are a warning to the Government, new IFA President Francie Gorman said after French farmers blocked major highways to Paris yesterday.
“The protests in France, Germany and Belgium reflect farmer concerns about changes to regulations that impact on their livelihoods. In particular, the removal of subsidies on agri-diesel. If that happened here, farmers would certainly be on the streets,” Gorman said in a statement.
He said there was a message from the unrest across Europe for the Government that proper engagement and negotiations are needed with farmers.
“We have a number of key meetings coming up and I hope to see a change in approach from this Government.
“Negotiation will always be my starting point. However, with the support of our democratically elected National Council and our members from around the country, I will be prepared to do whatever it takes to deliver for farmers,” he said.
Frustrated
ICMSA President Denis Drennan said Irish farmers would feel “every bit” as frustrated and disregarded as their colleagues in France and Germany.
“Irish farmers would never have had the very aggressive ‘street’ tendencies of some of our continental colleagues, but that’s not to say we feel any less passionate about the combination of cowardice and incoherence that has been the hallmark of both EU and Irish Government
policy towards its farmers for decades now,” said Drennan.
“No one can follow the logic being employed at EU or national level anymore. They can’t follow it because there is no evidence of it. Farmers have had enough. They are being restricted out of existence, while corporations push the Commission for trade deals that import cheaper, lower-standard food from cheaper, lower-standard producers.
“The farmer anger that we are seeing in more and more member states is absolutely felt here and will manifest itself, whether on the streets or at the ballot boxes.”
Belgian farmers also began a protest yesterday, with many farmers in Europe complaining the EU is not doing enough to help them in the face of international competition and globalisation.