Farmers protest over falling income

FARMERS yesterday began a series of protests in a further attempt to prompt Government action on falling incomes.

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.