Grain imports driving prices down, claim angry farmers

FARMERS, who entered and disrupted an industry forum in Dublin yesterday, claimed that imports of grain were driving down prices to native growers.

IFA president John Dillon and Grain Committee chairman Paddy Harrington led the protest at the Cereals Association of Ireland pre-harvest forum, which includes all the major players in the grain industry. Mr Dillon claimed growers were being forced out of business because they were being paid prices below the cost of production.

“Imported grain is being brought into the country at critical times, deliberately closing off market outlets for native Irish grain, with the objective of driving down prices to native growers.” Mr Dillon said independent surveys have shown that it costs in the region of 95 to 105 to produce a tonne of wheat and 100 to 105 to produce barley excluding depreciation and the cost of conacre.