Road chaos continues as tractors roll on
Traffic disruption continued across the country today as hundreds of farmers joined tractor convoys to protest at conditions in the industry.
Farmers in seven counties were joining the estimated 1,000 tractors which set off for Dublin yesterday.
They are due to converge on the city on Friday in demonstration at what they call the “silent extinction” of their industry.
Tens of thousands of vehicles are expected to join the “tractorcade” as it moves east to Dublin.
The week of action is being organised by the Irish Farmers’ Association, in demonstration at falling incomes and the Government’s response to problems facing farmers.
“Farmers are looking at an income crisis combined with a lack of information from the Government and agriculture minister on the future of farming and agriculture,” IFA President John Dillon said.
“Rural communities are really under threat at the moment and need Government action.”
The IFA said confidence in the agriculture sector had been undermined to an alarming extent by last month’s budget, when cuts and extra costs were estimated to cost farming €200m a year after incomes had already fallen by 8.5% during 2002.
The organisation claimed that Irish farmers on average earned €15,000 annually – about half the industrial wage – and that more than 20,000 farmers had been forced in the past 10 years to take additional part-time jobs to supplement their incomes.
Yesterday sections of the rally left points in Tralee, Co Kerry, Bantry in Co Cork, and Castlebar and Ballina in Co Mayo brandishing banners criticising the Government’s reaction to the crisis in farm incomes.
The main body of the “tractorcade” passed through Clonakilty, the home town of Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh.
Today tractors were setting off on convoys in Co Waterford, Co Cork, Co Mayo, Co Donegal, Co Galway, Co Limerick and Co Sligo.
Organisers of the rally said that although tens of thousands of farmers could take part in the action, only 300 tractors will be allowed by gardai to enter Dublin city centre.
Mr Dillon pledged they would do everything possible to minimise upset to other motorists but also said the protest would be the first in a series of demonstrations
