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Offaly farmers protest in solidarity with European farmers
Farmers gathered from all over the county to take part in the protest being led by IFA County Chairman, Pat Walsh.
Among those who travelled to the protest were Richie Mitchell from Newtown, Ballybritt and former IFA Chairman and current Tullamore Show, Vice Chairman, John Keena, from Ferbane.
IFA Regional Organiser, Willie Dolan, said the demonstration is one of the largest in the country.
Similar protests are being organised throughout the State this evening.
The action was agreed at a meeting of the IFA National Council on Wednesday evening.
“Farmers here have been watching the protests across Europe. They are just as frustrated by what is happening as farmers in other countries. They feel they are being regulated out of business by Brussels bureaucrats and Department of Agriculture officials who are far removed from the reality of day-to-day farming,” IFA President, Francie Gorman said. .
“IFA will be providing an opportunity for farmers to show solidarity with farmers who are protesting in Germany, France, Belgium and other member states.
“Irish farmers are pro-EU, but there is mounting frustration about the impact of EU policy on European farmers, and its implementation here in Ireland. The general feeling amongst farmers across the EU is that ‘enough is enough’,” he said.