'Out of the blue' Electric Picnic date change a 'huge problem' insist IFA

Farming anger in Laois at the Electric Picnic 'out of the blue' date change for 2024 has led to a national intervention from the country's main farming body.

The IFA has issued a statement in support of Laois farmers will be unable to harvest grain in and around the tillage heartland of Stradbally if the Electric Picnic takes place in mid-August.

The IFA wants Electric Picnic organisers to revisit their decision to run the festival in Stradbally from August 16 to 24 next year. IFA County Chair John Fitzpatrick said the dates for the 2024 Electric Picnic need to be revisited. 

“The Electric Picnic has become a huge event and much hard work has gone in over the years to retain the support of the local community. This changing of the dates came out of the blue and it is going to cause huge problems for local farmers,” he said. 

“The dates announced for 2024 are right in the middle of harvest season. To expect that the harvest and the movement of grain can take place with 70,000 people piling into a small rural town is not realistic,” he said. 

“It’s a time where there will be lots farm machinery on the roads at the busiest time of the year in one of the busiest tillage areas in the country,” he said.

“There needs to be serious dialogue to resolve this issue and everything must be on the table,“ added Mr Fitzpatrick.

Farmers around Stradbally had previously expressed their anger at the proposed date change which they was announced without consultation with them. One described it as 'pure craziness'.

'Pure craziness' - Laois farmers at odds with Electric Picnic over date clash

Managing Director of Festival Republic, Melvin Benn has denied speculation that the festival dates were moved to avoid a clash with a series of sold-out Irish Coldplay concerts which were announced for Croke Park in Dublin on August 29, 30 and September 1, 2, in  2024.

Electric Picnic promoter denies Coldplay reason for early 2024 dates

The Leinster Express has contacted Electric Picnic orgnaisers for a response to the concerns expressed by farmers.