National IFA protest in County Kildare this Saturday
IFA protest outside Bord Bia building
THE IRISH Farmers’ Association (IFA) will hold a national protest in County Kildare this Saturday, at 2.30pm to escalate the campaign for a new Chair of Bord Bia.
Farmers will assemble at the office of Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon in Newbridge to drive home the message that the Chair of Bord Bia has to step down.
The protest will include tractors and machinery and farmers on foot.
IFA President Francie Gorman said the proposal emerged a meeting held on Tuesday evening in Athy, which was attended by over 800 farmers.
“The overriding view at the meeting was that Minister Heydon is dragging his feet and doesn’t seem to understand the deep frustration that exists across the farming community,” he said.
The IFA has been protesting at Bord Bia since January 26 and said its proposals to bring about a resolution have been “stonewalled at every turn” by the Minister and others.
“Farmers who spoke last night felt they have no choice but to confront the Minister at his constituency office in Newbridge. Minister Heydon is hellbent on protecting the Chair of Bord Bia and in the process he is doing huge damage to Bord Bia. We will use Saturday to direct farmer anger at the Minister’s door,” he said.
