Wicklow farmers in protest at Thurles

December 1983

THERE was a large turn-out of farmers from Wicklow for Saturday’s protest meeting in Thurles against the proposed Super-Levy.

The county chairman, Charlie Byrne, said this week that he was very pleased with the response from farmers for the protest. He said that the large cross-section of farmers showed that there was a full understanding of what the EEC Commission were proposing for farmers and that those proposals were not confined to the dairy sector.

In addition to milk, Mr Byrne said that Wicklow farmers produced large numbers of sheep and cattle plus a considerable grain acreage.

It must now be apparent to every sector, he said, the seriousness of these proposals and a vigorous united attempt must be maintained to ensure that these proposals are not implemented. Mr Byrne expressed appreciation to all those in Wicklow who turned out on Saturday last and contributed to make the protest such a success.

The IFA president, Donie Cashman, told Saturday’s mass-meeting that if the super-levy was imposed, Ireland would become the paupers of Europe and it would in effect mean the acceptance that Irish agriculture could not develop to the potential of other EEC countries.

What is needed for Ireland, Mr Cashman said, is a total derogation from the super levy. ‘Our message to the Taoiseach is very clear: for the duration of this super levy proposal, a special exemption must be negotiated for Ireland.’

The president of the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union, Mr John Carroll, received a rapturous round of applause when he addressed Saturday’s protest meeting.

Mr Carroll said farmers and workers must forget about their differences in the past and show a united front to ensure the EEC proposals were not implemented. He called on the Government to take its courage in its hands and use the veto if the EEC still tries to impose the super-levy.