Farmers protest over falling income
More than 100 IFA members with tractors and placards greeted Environment Minister Martin Cullen as he arrived at Strokestown House in Roscommon yesterday for a conference on rural water schemes.
It was the first of a series of planned protests at public events attended by Government ministers. But Mr Cullen surprised the farmers when his State car stopped and he got out to speak with them.
A spokesman for the minister said he listened to what the farmers had to say and spoke with IFA president John Dillon. Mr Cullen outlined the efforts the Government is making in the agriculture area and also pointed out that all sectors had a collective part to play in ensuring there was a quality environment, the spokesman said.
Mr Dillon, who led the protest, said the Government was showing total disregard for farmers and their income difficulties. He also accused Mr Cullen of having refused point blank to enter into dialogue or discussions on the implementation of the Nitrates Directive. But Mr Cullen told the farmers he has had substantial meetings with their colleagues on the issue.
Mr Dillon said yesterday’s protest was to remind the minister that as stakeholders, farmers were entitled to be consulted. Other Government ministers are likely to face more IFA protests this week as they attend public events around the country.
