DEAR EDITOR
I am writing as a farmer’s wife to express deep concern at the recent treatment of farmers during a peaceful protest. Seeing hard-working men pulled from tractors and subjected to force, including pepper spray, was distressing and, in my view, unnecessary.
I want to be clear: we do not feel represented by existing farming bodies, such as the IFA or ICMSA. Nor do we align ourselves with extreme or divisive political movements.
We are ordinary people – people who have historically believed in the system, who have voted, who have trusted that hard work and integrity would be recognised.
My husband and I have spent over 20 years working early mornings and late nights, often alongside off-farm jobs, to keep our farm going.
We follow schemes, complete the paperwork, and try to keep up with policy, yet rising input costs, particularly diesel and contractor charges, continue to outstrip any improvement in prices.
Our family farm, which once supported several livelihoods, now struggles to sustain even one. We live modestly and work relentlessly, but we can no longer encourage our children to take on this life. The men on those tractors represent families like ours. They deserve to be listened to and treated with respect.
SHARING OPTIONS