Farmers are set to flock to Portlaoise on Friday as the Irish Farmers Association has confirmed details of a planned protest.
‘Save Irish Farming’ is four regional rallies to highlight how the current Government is pursuing policies that will decimate Ireland’s largest indigenous sector.
The protests will begin in Cavan at 7.30am, move to Roscommon at 12.30pm, on to Portlaoise for 4pm and finish in Cork City at 8pm.
IFA President Tim Cullinan will lead the rallies and they are expected to meet at the Motor Tax Office in Portlaoise.
He said: “For the last two years, IFA has tried to engage with Government on the sector’s future.
“Despite this, it continues to treat us as low-hanging fruit that it can target without impunity.
“At the same time, it’s rolling out the red carpet for energy-guzzling multinationals and allowing food, peat, and timber to be imported from less efficient countries in Europe and further afield.
“IFA will not allow farmers to be sacrificial lambs so the Government can give the appearance of ‘doing the right thing’.
“We are sounding an alarm. Without proper negotiation with farmers and a coherent plan, farming and food production in this country will be unrecognisable.
“We want the Government to get serious and sit down to develop a workable farm-level plan.”
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