Family focus at Dublin farming rally this weekend

THE IFA is hosting a farm family rally - Save Irish Farming - on Sunday, November 21, at 11 a.m. in Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

The organisation want to highlight the importance of farming to people and the Irish economy.

The government, say the IFA, need to sit down with elected farm leaders to develop a workable farm-level climate action plan. Farmers are the boots on the ground to deliver climate action, but they need a practical plan with proper funding including a Common Agricultural Policy that supports active farmers. Without a change of direction, the Irish family farm and the rural communities it supports will disappear.

Said IFA president Tim Cullinan: “The farm family is the cornerstone on which the wider agri-food sector is built. Our event in Merrion Square will see different generations come to Dublin to interact with families outside the farming community.

“We want to send a positive message about what we do and how important that is in terms of producing high-quality food, supporting rural Ireland, and contributing to the Irish economy as a whole.

“Farm families are genuinely fearful about what the future holds. We hear all of these high-level targets being announced, but we have no clarity about what this will mean at farm level.

“I’m encouraging all farm families to come to Dublin.”

He continued: “Farmers have families too. They are very conscious of the climate challenge and the need for farmers to play their part. But it can’t decimate our incomes.

“It must provide a future that is economically and socially sustainable, as well as being environmentally sustainable.

“Recent government policy proposals, including those on the CAP, are all about reducing production and adding cost. The CAP is there to support farmers to produce food. It cannot be expected to fund climate action as well.

“The government needs to come forward with a proper plan, with proper funding.”