IFA president and son set off by tractor to Brussels for protest

IFA president, Francie Gorman and his son Tom set off this morning on a pilgrimage to Brussels to join a farmer protest on Thursday to coincide with an EU Council meeting.

(Left to right): Tom Gorman, IFA president, Francie Gorman, Pat Bergin, Templetuohy Farm Machinery and IFA Laois chairperson Henry Burns collecting the tractor for the protest in Brussels. Photo: Finbarr O’Rourke

As part of a farmer protest in Brussels, Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) president Francie Gorman and his son Tom set off this morning by tractor from the Irish Farm Centre

They aim to arrive in Brussels on Thursday in time for the protest organised by the European farm umbrella body COPA COGECA.

Mr Gorman and Tom plan to stop off at a number of points to meet farmers along the route from the Farm Centre to Rosslare, where they will take a ferry this evening to Dunkirk in France.

The IFA president explained:

I want a farming future for Tom, the same way thousands of other farm families all over Ireland and Europe want their farm to be viable for the next generation. Tom and I are travelling over to deliver that message to the EU institutions next Thursday.

The support team who will travel with the president are Laois IFA chair, Henry Burns, Kay Gorman, IFA/FBD 2025 ‘Ready to Lead’ participant Shannon Porter from Co Donegal and Sean Hennessy from the IFA press office.

The convoy will travel via Naas, Crookstown (11.30am), Tullow Mart (1.30pm), Bunclody and Enniscorthy Mart (3.30pm) on its way to Rosslare. Times are approximate; it is advised to check IFA social media accounts for updates on times if you wish to express support.

Mr Gorman will arrive in Dunkirk on Tuesday night and will travel from there to Brussels on Wednesday to join up with thousands of farmers from across Europe for the major demonstration, which will coincide with the EU Council meeting.

The EU Council, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, is due to discuss the next EU budget, including the CAP budget, and most likely will attempt to approve the Mercosur trade agreement.

Farmers from the French farm organisation FNSEA will meet the IFA president in Dunkirk. Members of the IFA National Council will travel to Brussels on Thursday to join the protest.

Mr Gorman said his pilgrimage and the Irish presence at the protest are about showing solidarity with fellow EU farmers as well as highlighting the critical issues confronting farmers.

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“The initial proposals would leave a significant gap in funding for the CAP programme post 2027. We will be standing with our colleagues from across Europe to deliver a strong and united message that an adequate budget is needed across the twin pillars,” Mr Gorman explained.

The event, which is said to be the biggest in a decade, will focus on three key themes: the CAP budget, trade deals, including the Mercosur trade deal and excessive regulation around the cost of doing business. 

The protest will also focus on the lack of standards in Brazil, as evidenced by the recent recall of meat which tested positive for banned hormones.