Farmers will stage a second protest in Dublin tomorrow to highlight the fall in incomes.Yesterday the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) took its protest to Dublin when members of the group began a 96-hour protest outside Government Buildings.
ICMSA president Mr Pat O'Rourke said the Government should establish a commission on farm income. The ICMSA also wants a freeze on the amount of disease levies charged to farmers and an increase in the rate of VAT rebate for farmers to take into account the 1 per cent rise in VAT.
It is also demanding a reversal of a decision to increase stamp duty to 9 per cent and the lengthening of the write-off period for plant and machinery.
Mr O'Rourke said the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, did not understand the gravity of the crisis facing farmers and had no solutions to that crisis.
"No farmer or business person would plan for the future the way the Government is fumbling on important agricultural policy issues," he said.
"The Minister varies his solutions from day to day from either social welfare, off-farm employment or suggesting that farmers can get more from the market place.
"None of these are real solutions to the farm income crisis."
Farmers from all over the country will stage a rally outside Government Buildings tomorrow while the Cabinet meets. The picket will remain in place until Friday.