Farmers in Mayo are urged to 'get militant'

Farmers were urged to "get militant" after they addressed a meeting of Mayo County Council.

Mayo IFA members attended a meeting of the local authority last week to highlight several serious issues for the farming community.

“Over the past number of weeks, farmers across mainland Europe have been voicing their anger and frustration at the ever-increasing administrative burden being placed on them," John Lynskey, chairman of Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) in Mayo, told the meeting. “These frustrations have broadened into anger with European and National lawmakers over the massive increase in regulations relating to agriculture. The EU, the Irish Government and local government are devising policies far from the farm gate with little or no consideration of the direct impact on farmers."

Mr Lynskey highlighted CAP and trade deal issues and overly complicated schemes that are causing widespread delays in payments to farmers.

The Nature Restoration Law was blasted for the restrictions it places on farmers and local farmers feel agricultural emissions are not being measured fairly. Mayo IFA also criticised the "shambolic management of Ireland’s forestry policy". 

At a more local level, planning and water charge issues were among the problems being encountered. Mayo farmers are also concerned about the use of compulsory purchase orders to facilitate the construction of greenways.

Councillors agreed to back the IFA's "enough is enough" campaign and passed a resolution that recognises the significant contribution farming and the agri-sector make to the Irish and local economy. The council acknowledged the income challenge on Irish farmers arising from the significant increases in the cost of doing business, regulatory costs and cuts in basic income supports.

Councillors also called on the Government to introduce no further regulations on farmers or any measures that may increase costs on farms without full negotiation and agreement with the IFA. The council called on the European Union and the Irish Government to provide additional stand-alone funding, separate from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), to support farmers to undertake climate and biodiversity measures.

Westport-based Fianna Fáil Cllr Brendan Mulroy urged IFA members to escalate their action.

“The peaceful protests are over. It’s time for the farmers to become militant,” said Cllr Mulroy.

He warned that the situation with the proposed Belclare to Murrisk Greenway could become a "test case" for the use of CPO to facilitate projects of this type.