1,000 tractors hit road in farm protest

ALL roads led to Dublin yesterday as farmers began their protest drive to the capital in a dispute with the Government over low incomes.

Farmers put 1,000 tractors on the country’s roads for the start of the IFA’s five-day family farm survival campaign. Tractors left Bantry, Ballina, Castlebar and Tralee on the first day of the campaign, which the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association is also supporting. The protest will culminate in a rally outside Government Buildings on Friday.

Fisherman and farmers are considering forming a rural alliance to safeguard their livelihoods. Leaders of the IFA and the Irish South and West Fishermen’s Organisation discussed the development of a close relationship in defence of rural and coastal communities yesterday.