Farmers take their protest against low incomes in the sector to the streets from tomorrow with Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers (ICMSA) today announcing action in addition to the 'tractorcade' planned by the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).
ICMSA President, Mr Pat O'Rourke today demanded Government action and announced a programme of protest, which, he said, was because farmers no alternative but to take direct action.
The protest will take the form of a 24-hour continuous demonstration outside Government and Department buildings, over a number of days, by farmers from all over the country starting tomorrow.
The IFA last week announced a week-long protest culminating in an estimated 300 tractors descending on Dublin next Friday in a 'tractorcade' that will end on Kildare Street outside the Department of Agriculture headquarters.
"Given the level of anger among farmers I am sure that the various actions by farm organisations would be supported by farmers throughout the country.
"The combined action of the farm organisations in demonstrating their anger and lack of confidence in the Government must surely send a signal to the Taoiseach and particularly the Minister for Agriculture and Food that he has failed not alone to deliver but even to comprehend the level of low and declining farm incomes farmers are experiencing," Mr O'Rourke.
Mr O'Rourke today repeated his a demand for a commission on farm incomes to be established by the Government.
The Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) are also backing this week's protests. Chairman, Mr Charlie Reilly has said Government measures have cut farmers incomes by 12.3 per cent.
IFA president Mr John Dillon says the average farm income is €15,000 but the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh estimates the figure closer to €45,000.
Incomes were hit by bad weather last year and prices paid by processors in a number of sectors has stayed low.