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At least 3,000 farmers have gathered for a protest against the Mercosur beef deal, falling beef prices and the decline of the Irish suckler industry.
Farmers and their families from all over the country have travelled to Dublin to voice their outrage and highlight the precarious position they are in.
Roads around Leinster House were closed as the crowd shouted “Leo, Leo, Leo, out, out, out” at the gates.
The head of the column has arrived at the Dáil to chants of Leo, Leo, Leo ... Out out out @farmersjournal pic.twitter.com/k4RvTTF70B
— Barry Cassidy (@BarryJCassidy) July 10, 2019
Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal ahead of the protest, Beef Plan Movement co-chair Hugh Doyle said they planned to present seven “reasonable” requests to the Government, calling on it to ensure there is full transparency in the meat industry.
“Everyone knows how much the primary producer gets. The people who own factories are able to shield their wealth.”
Beef farmers and rural Ireland for as far as the eye can see turned out to a @Beefplan protest in Dublin -- large crowds gathered for the March to the gates of the Dáil @farmersjournal pic.twitter.com/OcAAMJ2LgJ
— Barry Cassidy (@BarryJCassidy) July 10, 2019
He added that the peaceful protest was aimed at appealing to the "non-farming community and show them how bad things are for farmers at the moment.”
The protest was joined by Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association president Pat McCormack and Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association president Edmund Graham, who said it was crucial farmers united to stop the Mercosur deal.
As part of the protest a list of demands were handed in by the Beef Plan Movement:
1. Block Mercosur
2. Transparency on beef prices
3. Stop uncompetitive practices
4. A study into the beef trade
5. Boost live exports of weanlings
6. Recognition of the Beef Plan Movement
More to follow.
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