The IFA have organised a series of farmers' protests in Cavan and Monaghan tonight. The protests in this region form part of a nationwide series of similar staged events, which come off the back of a protest of farmers in Waterford earlier this week. In Monaghan, protestors are meeting on tractors "big and small" at the bypass at 5pm, while in Cavan people are gathering at the bypass there and meeting outside the calf collection point, at 7 o'clock. There will likely be some disruption to other traffic.
A group of around 20 farmers in County Waterford gathered in their tractors on Tuesday night to show their solidarity with colleagues in Europe. The IFA's Ulster / North Leinster Chair Frank Brady told Northern Sound Irish farmers have the same complaints as farmers in France and Germany, namely over-regulation, trade deals like Mercer and late payments.
He said IFA chairs from all over the country contacted HQ when they learned of the Waterford demonstration of solidarity and the decision was taken to organise further similar protests everywhere. There will not be a protest in Athlone where ICSA is holding its AGM today. The Cavan pig farmer said while the IFA is organising the protests, farmers from all other organisations are welcome to join in. Frank Brady indicated tonight's demonstrations are a sign of things to come from the IFA. "[We are protesting] because we have all the same complaints that the French and German and all European farmers have;" Mr Brady said, "that slowly, Irish farming is being put out of business with regulation, with the mercer deal that we don't want, with late payments.
"We could list on, we've been on for years on your show explaining what are grievances are and Germany and France have started it and people are beginning to sit up and take notice in those countries and they have to do the same here.
