Farmers' protest to take place in county town this evening
Farmers protests across Europe are growing as they demand better conditions to grow produce and maintain a proper income. Picture: Bertrand Guay/AFP via Getty Images
Mayo farmers will be out in solidarity with their EU counterparts this evening as they support the Irish Farmers' Association's (IFA) nationwide protest.
Protests have been taking place across the continent, with farmers demanding better conditions to grow produce and maintain a proper income.
Tractors have lined the streets of Brussels this morning, with small fires lit outside the European Parliament.
A demonstration will take place at 7pm meeting at MacHale Park, Castlebar.
Speaking in advance, Aontú’s representative for Mayo, Paul Lawless says that the increase in the cost of farm fertiliser has "crippled" farmers.
“The mercosur trade agreement by the EU with South America will decimate the Irish beef farmer and is incredibly bad for the environment when we consider the fact that beef production down there involves deforestation, overgrazing and forest fires at a colossal scale, not to mention the carbon footprint associated with transporting the product to the EU,” Mr Lawless said.
“We need to support and promote Irish beef farmers. The shocking increases over the past couple of years in the cost of fuel has had a detrimental impact on farm profits. The government has admitted to us that in recent years more tax was taken in on fuel than ever before - this despite the percentage tax going down, but because the raw cost went up.
“I would urge everyone in the county to get out and support our farmers.”
