Limerick IFA show solidarity with European comrades

LIMERICK IFA chairman Sean Lavery issued a rallying call to local farmers on Thursday morning to support a tractor protest that night and almost 200 answered that call at short notice.

Mr Lavery said they wanted to send a quick, sharp message to the Government and to show solidarity with European farmers who have been protesting in recent weeks.

“Their problems are our problems. They are slightly different in every case but we all have problems with the way Governments are treating farmers. It is no coincidence that the German, Dutch, Belgian and French farmers are all protesting for their own particular local reasons.

“They are coming from a sense of dissatisfaction with EU regulations and the way they are being implemented and applied,” said Mr Lavery, who hit out at the amount of “red tape”.

“It is death by a thousand cuts. It is just making things more difficult, slower, awkward and adding costs,” said Mr Lavery.

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A total of 180 men and women driving tractors assembled at Attyflin near Patrickswell. They travelled in convoy to Adare, going around the roundabout in the village before returning and dispersing around the county.

Mr Lavery said it was important that Limerick played its part in the protest which took place in every county and it certainly did.

Louise Crowley, Limerick IFA secretary, said in a post on social media the message from Limerick farmers is “enough is enough!”

“We have shown huge support for our fellow European farmers and sent a message to our Government that we aren’t happy.

"We are frustrated and we can rally support even during the calving and lambing season,” said Ms Crowley.