Storm of protest brewing in West Cork
Sheets of freezing rain were driven by gale force gusts of wind and the square in Bantry was empty, still festooned with strands of seaweed left behind from the flooding that had occurred with the earlier high tide. Waves of twelve foot were reported in some parts and the entrance to many shops were still protected with an assortment of sandbags.
Hardly the ideal conditions for the planned demonstrations by farmers and their supporters, gathered to protest against cuts to their Single Farm Payments.
As I swathed myself in various layers of protective clothing the wind roared ferociously and it was as dark as night. Was anyone going to turn out in such appalling conditions?
The forest road was littered with fallen boughs. When I got to Bantry there were, understandably, few people about and the square was empty. But within minutes, vehicles began arriving and disgorging protestors clad in wellies and heavy- duty raingear.
The weather would have meant most people canceling any form of outdoor activity.
But then these were farm-ers and their families, people who were well used to trudging across rain-soaked fields to do what had to be done on their farms.
The turnout of such a large crowd in these conditions was testimony to the depth of the feeling regarding cuts to the single farm payments in West Cork, and the strength of community support for their cause.
People greeted their neighbours, joked about the weather and began, as best they could, to begin unloading posters and banners from their cars. Everything had to be tied down or leaned against to prevent posters from becoming wind-borne flying missiles.
Nevertheless, the large crowd made its way to Deputy Noel Harrington’s office, for a pre-ar ranged meeting. A small delegation went inside to inform him of their urgent concerns and suggestions.
Penalties imposed on those who had been decreed as over-claiming payments (by including land not deemed to be in agricultural use) had caused terrible hardship to many farmers in disadvantaged areas like this, they said, and they were asking that Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney visit some of the hardest-hit farms in the area to see for himself.
De puty Har rington expressed his sympathy when he addressed the crowd out-side and promised to do everything in his power to help. Then it was on to Dunmanway and a meeting with Deputy Michael McCarthy.
The final port of call was Bandon, where Jim Daly, TD, was unable to meet with them due to a prior appointment. Representatives of the protest, still several hundred strong, addressed their issues and demands outside his office.
And that was it — a good day’s work, all agreed, despite all that the weather could throw at them.
But so serious is this issue that no matter what the weather, more demonstrations are planned until West Cork farmers get some relief — and some answers.
If not, many fear that these penalties will be the straw that broke the camel’s back for many farmers in disadvantaged areas.
I spoke to an agri-environ-mental planner who has seen a significant increase in farmer distress over the last few months. Owen O’Driscoll says that many farmers are also apprehensive about possible retroactive fines.
>> 2005 entitlements were based on payments received on animal premiums, divided by a farm holding’s net forage area. The definition of scrub was more liberal, and poor mapping technology led to high areas being claimed, historically. Farmers received maps in the spring of 2013 which were of a relatively poor standard, dark, and it was difficult to identify scrub. The department are now using Bing 2012 maps to review parcels, and advanced technology to measure all areas to extreme accuracy, which gives an unfair advantage of area calibration and estimation.
>> Yes, it is. Many farmers are worried about just how far back these retroactive fines might go, five years perhaps. “There was a precedent, which was established in 2011, when the Department reduced the claimed reference areas on common-age lands, then increased farmers’ entitlement value to compensate for the reduced forage area. “Article 68 (Commission Regulation (EC) No 2025/2006 22nd Dec 2006) states exceptions from the application of reductions and exclusions. “The reductions and exclusions provided for in Chapter 1 shall not apply where the farmer submitted factually correct information, or where he can show otherwise that he is not at fault. “The retrospective penalties on over-claims in previous four years are critical, considering the previous precedent of the 2011 amnesty. It’s not just the farming community who are being affected.”
>> “Yes. Farmers don’t tend to take their holidays in foreign places. They spend their money closer to home. And for the farming families who are caught up in this, there’s no security either. They just have to get on with it, like they always do. But I’m seeing a lot of stress and a concern for the future.”
>> “Yes. It was really fast. People got maps and bills in the same envelope. It was a real shock, especially since appealing the decision can take time. “There’s real hardship now and a cash flow problem for some. These are some of the most vulnerable farmers and they are afraid of being wiped out.”
>> “Yes. Farmers are going to be forced to get rid of areas that were considered of habitat value for thirty years. But flat green fields where there can be no mapping mistakes are just not possible in many areas of West Cork and North Kerry. It’s as if the rug is being pulled out from under-neath them.”
