The main focus of a Beef Plan Movement protest outside Andrew Doyle’s office in Wicklow town on Tuesday was calf exports. Organisers of the protest say that despite meeting with Andrew Doyle and other organisations on calf exports last October, issues around exports were not resolved.
“We’re here today because we’re getting no response from the minister. We had a meeting with him and explained to him what was happening. Last October, I met with farming organisations and explained that this crisis was coming,” said Seamus Scallan from Wicklow Calf Company. Scallan said he exported 40,000 calves last year.
Farming community
Seamus Scallon of Wicklow Calf Company talks to news correspondent Odile Evans. \ Philip Doyle
“We’re here today to protest to Andrew,” Scallan told the Irish Farmers Journal. “We don’t need anybody representing Co Wicklow, no matter what his politics, if he’s not prepared to stand up for the farming community and stand up for us. We voted for him and now we’ll vote him out.”
The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, took to Twitter to defend his record on calf exports.
The Beef Plan Movement protesting outside TD Andrew Doyle's office in Wicklow town on Tuesday 5 March. \ Philip Doyle
Meanwhile, one of the Beef Plan Movement leaders, Hugh Doyle, criticised the Minister for Agriculture for not taking the new organisation seriously enough.
“We haven’t met Minister Creed yet. We feel as if they’re actually pushing us sideways because we are a bit of a nuisance,” Doyle said. “But let them be under no illusion we are here to stay and we will hold every politician to account.”
Doyle said that the Beef Plan Movement has talked to a number of other farm organisations about the plan.
Focus
“We, in the Beef Plan, are a not-for-profit organisation. Our focus is farmer number one, income number two. I’m not using that as a negative for any other farm organisations but our focus is purely to save the livestock sector.
“With those smaller organisations we intend to get a common press release. In doing so, we will help the fight. Europe have told me on a number of occasions that you can’t have five or six farm organisations. I would be in agreement but we’ve been in operation since October.”
Read more
Beef Plan Movement ‘hasn’t ruled out’ running candidates in local elections
‘Minister must roll up his sleeves on live exports’ – Healy
Listen: ‘Dairy herd can’t absolve itself of growing calf numbers’ – Creed
The main focus of a Beef Plan Movement protest outside Andrew Doyle’s office in Wicklow town on Tuesday was calf exports. Organisers of the protest say that despite meeting with Andrew Doyle and other organisations on calf exports last October, issues around exports were not resolved.
“We’re here today because we’re getting no response from the minister. We had a meeting with him and explained to him what was happening. Last October, I met with farming organisations and explained that this crisis was coming,” said Seamus Scallan from Wicklow Calf Company. Scallan said he exported 40,000 calves last year.
Farming community
Seamus Scallon of Wicklow Calf Company talks to news correspondent Odile Evans. \ Philip Doyle
“We’re here today to protest to Andrew,” Scallan told the Irish Farmers Journal. “We don’t need anybody representing Co Wicklow, no matter what his politics, if he’s not prepared to stand up for the farming community and stand up for us. We voted for him and now we’ll vote him out.”
The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, took to Twitter to defend his record on calf exports.
The Beef Plan Movement protesting outside TD Andrew Doyle's office in Wicklow town on Tuesday 5 March. \ Philip Doyle
Meanwhile, one of the Beef Plan Movement leaders, Hugh Doyle, criticised the Minister for Agriculture for not taking the new organisation seriously enough.
“We haven’t met Minister Creed yet. We feel as if they’re actually pushing us sideways because we are a bit of a nuisance,” Doyle said. “But let them be under no illusion we are here to stay and we will hold every politician to account.”
Doyle said that the Beef Plan Movement has talked to a number of other farm organisations about the plan.
Focus
“We, in the Beef Plan, are a not-for-profit organisation. Our focus is farmer number one, income number two. I’m not using that as a negative for any other farm organisations but our focus is purely to save the livestock sector.
“With those smaller organisations we intend to get a common press release. In doing so, we will help the fight. Europe have told me on a number of occasions that you can’t have five or six farm organisations. I would be in agreement but we’ve been in operation since October.”
Read more
Beef Plan Movement ‘hasn’t ruled out’ running candidates in local elections
‘Minister must roll up his sleeves on live exports’ – Healy
Listen: ‘Dairy herd can’t absolve itself of growing calf numbers’ – Creed
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