IFA President from Laois backs Mercosur tractor protest on Ireland's motorways and towns

Thousands of tractors could be on the roads of Ireland at the end of February in protest at a trade deal with South American countries which Irish farmers fear will hit their incomes hard.

The Laois man who leads Irish farmers believes the IFA should back a tractor protest in towns and motorways to oppose the Mercosur deal which could see 99,000 tonnes of South American beef swamp the EU, driving down farm incomes in the process.

IFA President Francie Gorman also insists that the new Minister for Agriculture cannot speak out of both sides of his mouth when it comes to the deal.

Speaking at the Laois IFA AGM reflected on 2024 as a year when the IFA achieved the aim of having farming issues at the centre of the election l campaigns. He believed these efforts paid off as reflected in the Government's roadmap.

“The Programme for Government, if you compare it to five years ago, there is no comparison. There is an absolute commitment to support agriculture that wasn't there in the last Government,” he said at the event attended by the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

He attributed some of this to protests early in 2024 one of which was a snap tractor demonstration in Portlaoise and other towns around the country held as part of a Europe-wide demonstration by farmers. 

He highlighted the Mercosur deal as being a specific commitment in the Programme for Government which must be delivered upon.

“We have got to hold our politicians in Government parties and our MEPs to account on that,” he said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Mr Gorman said European farmers are planning a protest on February 27 over the deal. While the IFA has yet to decide on its participation, he believes Irish farmers led by the IFA must show solidarity and put down a "marker" with the Irish Governement on Mercusor. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Francie Gorman at the Laois IFA AGM in The Manor Hotel, Abbeyleix on February 12. Pic: Alf Harvey

“I believe we should be back on the roads of our county towns or motorways with our tractors showing support to our fellow farmers in Europe to make it quite clear to our politicians that this is a flawed deal and it cannot be accepted,” he said.

He insisted that the deal would undermine the value of beef if large volumes of beef are allowed into the country.

“There is no way that it is not going to have a negative effect on beef prices,” he said.

He said Minister Martin Heydon must be clear in his opposition.

“He told us he was pro trade and at the same time against Mercosur- he can't speak out of both sides of his mouth on this,” he said.

Mr Gorman believed that the Germany and Italy have the biggest to gain from the South American trade deal. While he believed the Italians are 'sitting on the fence' be believed big German companies such as VW are in favour. He added that the German economy is "in tatters" at present. 

He agreed with a proposal from Laois IFA vice-chair Liam Delaney that farmers need for the IFA to 'show its teeth' and protest early this year if signs emerge from the EU that the derogation battle is being lost.