Farmers come out fighting

There were strong words on Leeside as hundreds of farmers protested outside a cabinet meeting in City Hall yesterday.

IFA president Joe Healy said farmers were going to “fight like hell” to make sure that farmers receive an aid package for the losses that Irish beef farmers have suffered over the past six to seven months.

“If those beefs farmers aren’t supported, then they face extinction,” he said.

Farmers claim there’s been €100m losses in the past six months with many holding signs saying that these losses were breaking beef farmers.

Mr Healy told protestors: “I can tell the Taoiseach that we are here in the Rebel County and this is very much a farmer’s rebellion and we make no apologies for it.

“Beef finishers are facing financial ruin because of the Brexit uncertainty and exchange rates.”

IFA Munster regional chairman John Coughlan from Buttevant told the media said beef farmers are not making a living and are having to eat into their reserves.

Prior to yesterday’s Government meeting, as An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was doorstepped by Mr Healy as he made his way into City Hall.

Mr Healy told the country’s leader how beef farmers were suffering.

An Taoiseach replied: “I hear you and I know farmers are struggling and I know that the situation is bad for beef farmers, but at the same time anything that we do is with taxpayers’ money and farmers already receive supports.”

An Taoiseach said that if the farmers wanted more then the Irish Government would have to work with the Commission about it.

Mr Healy during a speech said he wanted the ministers to know that beef farmers “were on their knees”.

He also called on Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin “as a Cork man” to stand up for farmers and said his “silence on the issue has been deafening”.

He said: “Micheál, it’s time for you to tell the Taoiseach where his priorities lie. It’s time for you to bang on the table and tell this Government that it’s well passed their time to deliver for farmers.”