Farmers vent anger over cuts in agriculture

MORE than 1,000 farmers flocked to a meeting on the future of the €400 million sheep sector in Tullamore, Co Offaly, last night, but they also vented their anger to Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith about the Government budget cuts in agriculture.

Irish Farmers’ Association president Padraig Walshe, who presided, said at the outset that the focus of the meeting was about sheep but accepted that members would want to raise other issues with the minister.

Mr Walshe said he had never witnessed such anger and frustration as he had at regional IFA organised meetings being held countrywide on the budget cuts.