IFA President Francie Gorman, accompanied by his son Tom (11), will depart on a tractor from the Irish Farm Centre this morning to arrive in Brussels on Thursday for the Europe-wide farmer protest organised by the European farm umbrella body COPA COGECA.
The President and Tom, from Ballinakill, will stop off at a number of points to meet farmers along the route from the Farm Centre to Rosslare, where they will catch a ferry that evening to Dunkirk in France.
He said: “I want a farming future for Tom the same way thousands of other farm families all over Ireland and Europe want their farm to be viable for the next generation.
“Tom and I are travelling over to deliver that message to the EU institutions next Thursday.”
Francie Gorman collected the tractor he will be using at Templetuohy Farm Machinery near Portlaoise on Friday.
He said: “I want to thank Pat Bergin and the team for their support for this trip.
“It’s symbolises the backing that exists across the sector as we highlight the issues that confront us.”
The support team who will travel with the President are Laois IFA Chair Henry Burns, Kay Gorman, IFA/FBD 2025 Ready to Lead participant Shannon Porter from Donegal and Sean Hennessy from the IFA Press Office.
The convey will travel via Naas, Crookstown (11.30am), Tullow Mart (1.30pm), Bunclody and Enniscorthy Mart (3.30pm) on its way to Rosslare. (see map attached).
Times are indicative, so please check IFA social media accounts for updates.
Francie Gorman will arrive in Dunkirk on Tuesday night and will travel from there to Brussels on Wednesday to join up with thousands of farmers from across Europe for the major demonstration, which will coincide with EU Council meeting.
The EU Council, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, is due to discuss the next EU budget, including the CAP budget, and most likely will attempt to ratify the Mercosur trade agreement.
Farmers from the French farm organisation FNSEA will meet the IFA President in Dunkirk.
Members of the IFA National Council will travel to Brussels on Thursday to join the protest.
Francie Gorman said this is about showing solidarity with our fellow EU farmers as we seek to highlight the critical issues confronting farmers.
The event, which will be the biggest in a decade, will focus on three key themes: the CAP budget, trade deals including the Mercosur trade deal and excessive regulation around the cost of doing business.
“The initial proposals would leave a significant gap in funding for the CAP programme post 2027.
“We will be standing with our colleagues from across Europe to deliver a strong and united message that an adequate budget is needed across the twin pillars.”
The protest will also focus on the lack of standards in Brazil, as evidenced by the recent recall of meat with hormones and the investigation by IFA and the Irish Farmers Journal.
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