Irish farm leader drives tractor to Brussels for mass demo

Irish Farmers Association (IFA) president Francie Gorman set off on Monday morning (15 December) to drive a tractor from Dublin to Brussels, where he will join farmers from across Europe for what is being touted as “the biggest farmer demo in a decade”.

Thousands are expected to gather in the city to coincide with a meeting of heads of state on Thursday (18 December).

See also: French farmers launch protests over EU-Mercosur trade deal

The protest, organised by EU farmer/co-operative group Copa-Cogeca, will focus on three issues:

The need for a strong, common and well-funded CAP post-2027

Fair and transparent trade rules that protect EU standards

Real simplification, better regulation and legal certainty

Around 40 organisations from 27 countries will be represented at the march, which is expected to be attended by more than 10,000 farmers.

There will be a particular focus on the planned EU-Mercosur trade deal with four South American countries which is due to be approved by heads of state at the meeting.

Tensions have been heightened in recent weeks by the recall from the EU market of Brazilian beef, found to contain illegal hormones.

A recent investigation by the IFA also revealed numerous weaknesses in both on-farm practices and meat traceability in Brazil.

However, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen intends to sign the Mercusor trade deal at the weekend.

Opposition

The French government is already reported to have called for a delay in the vote, in the wake of recent farmer protests across the country.

But other member states, including Denmark, Germany, and Spain, want it to go ahead, suggesting provisions have already been built into the deal to protect EU farmers should imports get out of hand.

The IFA has been especially outspoken about the potential impact of substandard beef imports from Brazil, describing the EU’s response to the recent hormone discovery as “pathetic”.

Budget threat

But speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Gorman said he was just as concerned about threats to the EU support budget for agriculture.

“The initial proposals would leave a significant gap in funding for the CAP programme post 2027,” he said.

“We will be standing with our colleagues from across Europe to deliver a strong and united message that an adequate budget is needed across the twin pillars.”

Mr Gorman, will be accompanied on the trip by his 11-year old son, Tom, added: “I want a farming future for Tom, the same way thousands of other farm families all over Ireland and Europe want their farm to be viable for the next generation.

“We are travelling over to deliver that message to the EU institutions next Thursday.”