A 100-strong group of protesting barley growers yesterday accused barley grain importers and brokers of destroying their livelihoods by pricing them out of the barley grain market. Around 140 farmers took part in a surprise protest at the importation of dry barley grain from vessels docked at Foynes port, Co Limerick.

THE proposed reform of the Common Agricultural Policy will be debated by the European Union’s farm ministers in Brussels today.