An Independent TD says the recent turnout of farmers in Dublin over the Mercosur deal was ‘the standout protest’ he had witnessed since having been elected to the Dail.
Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice, himself a farmer, says the protest, organised by the Beef Plan Movement, needs to be the beginning of a rural revival.
He added that it was heartening to see the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association supporting the protest.
He says such unity is needed for rural revival, and for dealing with issues such as Brexit, Mercosur, climate change and changes to the Common Agricultural Policy.
He also pointed out there are almost 1,000 families involved in beef and suckler farming in Ireland.
The need to make rural Ireland, and the production of beef in the west, stand out, was also made by Martin Coughlan, a farming analyst with the Irish Independent, when he spoke to Ocean FM News.
