Menu
02/07/2009
Irish Farming Lobby May Protest Again
It has emerged today that more protests by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) over the cost of supermarket price cuts to the farming sector are not being ruled out.
The Chairman of Sligo IFA, Billy Sommerville made him comments following an all-day blockade at Musgraves distribution centre in Kildare yesterday.
Farmers claim the slashing of food prices by supermarkets in an attempt to provide cheaper products than their competitors is forcing farmers out of business.
They protested at the centre which supplies Musgrave's Supervalu and Centra on Wednesday.
Now, talks are continuing between the IFA and Musgrave's distributors in Kildare following the all-day demonstration.
Mr Sommerville insists that farmers backs are "against the wall" and added that further action could be "on the cards".
Dairy farmers across Ireland and further afield are also incensed over prices.
In May this year, about 40 members of the IFA dairy committee staged a protest at the office of the European Commission in Dublin over the price farmers are being paid for milk.
Committee Chairman Richard Kennedy said some farmers had called for milk to be dumped because of low prices, but he said this kind of action is unlikely to happen.
The dairy farmers said they are producing milk at below the cost of production, with the average farm family losing €19,000.
Far more farmers from across Europe also demonstrated against low milk prices outside the EU Council of Ministers building in Luxembourg last month, even pelting officials with eggs.
Hundreds of tractors took part in the protests, which brought traffic to a halt on the main road between Brussels and Luxembourg just as EU farm ministers met to discuss the reform of farm policy.
The farmers and tractors blocked much of Luxembourg's EU quarter. They also burned a stack of hay outside the European Court of Justice, Europe's highest court and opened the taps of a milk truck in front of the council of ministers' building.
An IFA delegation with about 100 Irish farmers took part in that protest.
(BMcc/JM)
The Chairman of Sligo IFA, Billy Sommerville made him comments following an all-day blockade at Musgraves distribution centre in Kildare yesterday.
Farmers claim the slashing of food prices by supermarkets in an attempt to provide cheaper products than their competitors is forcing farmers out of business.
They protested at the centre which supplies Musgrave's Supervalu and Centra on Wednesday.
Now, talks are continuing between the IFA and Musgrave's distributors in Kildare following the all-day demonstration.
Mr Sommerville insists that farmers backs are "against the wall" and added that further action could be "on the cards".
Dairy farmers across Ireland and further afield are also incensed over prices.
In May this year, about 40 members of the IFA dairy committee staged a protest at the office of the European Commission in Dublin over the price farmers are being paid for milk.
Committee Chairman Richard Kennedy said some farmers had called for milk to be dumped because of low prices, but he said this kind of action is unlikely to happen.
The dairy farmers said they are producing milk at below the cost of production, with the average farm family losing €19,000.
Far more farmers from across Europe also demonstrated against low milk prices outside the EU Council of Ministers building in Luxembourg last month, even pelting officials with eggs.
Hundreds of tractors took part in the protests, which brought traffic to a halt on the main road between Brussels and Luxembourg just as EU farm ministers met to discuss the reform of farm policy.
The farmers and tractors blocked much of Luxembourg's EU quarter. They also burned a stack of hay outside the European Court of Justice, Europe's highest court and opened the taps of a milk truck in front of the council of ministers' building.
An IFA delegation with about 100 Irish farmers took part in that protest.
(BMcc/JM)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 August 2017
Over 10,000 HSA Inspection And Investigations Carried Out In 2016
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) carried out more than 10,000 inspections and investigations in 2016, with almost 6,500 inspections in high-risk farming, construction and the fishing sectors. The numbers were revealed in the HSA's 2016 Annual Report, which outlines major activities, achievements and outcomes over the course of the year.
Over 10,000 HSA Inspection And Investigations Carried Out In 2016
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) carried out more than 10,000 inspections and investigations in 2016, with almost 6,500 inspections in high-risk farming, construction and the fishing sectors. The numbers were revealed in the HSA's 2016 Annual Report, which outlines major activities, achievements and outcomes over the course of the year.
02 April 2015
Organic Farming Scheme To Launch
A new Organic Farming Scheme is to open shortly, it has been announced. The initiative is said to offer "significantly increased" rates of aid to Organic farmers, both in conversion and when fully established.
Organic Farming Scheme To Launch
A new Organic Farming Scheme is to open shortly, it has been announced. The initiative is said to offer "significantly increased" rates of aid to Organic farmers, both in conversion and when fully established.
12 October 2009
Farmers Protest As Income Drops
The Irish Farmers' Association has mounted tractor-barricades in counties all over the state over their steeply falling incomes. Frequent traffic delays have developed after a synchronised campaign by farmers who drove their tractors slowly through 29 towns at 10am.
Farmers Protest As Income Drops
The Irish Farmers' Association has mounted tractor-barricades in counties all over the state over their steeply falling incomes. Frequent traffic delays have developed after a synchronised campaign by farmers who drove their tractors slowly through 29 towns at 10am.
03 December 2014
Irish Family Farming 'Under Pressure' - IFA
The Irish and European tradition of family farming is under "unprecedented pressure" according to the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA). IFA President Eddie Downey made the comments as he was speaking this week at an international conference in Dublin organised by IFA and Teagasc to celebrate the UN International Year of Family Farming.
Irish Family Farming 'Under Pressure' - IFA
The Irish and European tradition of family farming is under "unprecedented pressure" according to the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA). IFA President Eddie Downey made the comments as he was speaking this week at an international conference in Dublin organised by IFA and Teagasc to celebrate the UN International Year of Family Farming.
26 August 2016
New Funding Package Agreed For Farming Sector
The EU Commission's Management Committee has agreed proposals for an aid package for Irish farmers, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has announced. The funding package is designed to support market stabilisation across the EU's dairy sector.
New Funding Package Agreed For Farming Sector
The EU Commission's Management Committee has agreed proposals for an aid package for Irish farmers, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has announced. The funding package is designed to support market stabilisation across the EU's dairy sector.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
