IFA Announces Itinerary for Tractor to Brussels Protest

IFA President Francie Gorman, accompanied by his son Tom (11), will depart on a tractor from the Irish Farm Centre on Monday morning to arrive in Brussels on Thursday for the Europe-wide farmer protest organised by the European farm umbrella body COPA COGECA. 

The President and Tom will stop off at a number of points to meet farmers along the route from the Farm Centre to Rosslare where they will catch a ferry that evening to Dunkirk in France. 

“I want a farming future for Tom the same way thousands of other farm families all over Ireland and Europe want their farm to be viable for the next generation. Tom and I are travelling over to deliver that message to the EU institutions next Thursday.”

The convey will travel via Naas, Crookstown, Tullow Mart, Bunclody and Enniscorthy Mart on its way to Rosslare.

Francie Gorman will arrive in Dunkirk on Tuesday night and will travel from Dunkirk to Brussels on Wednesday to join up with thousands of farmers from across Europe for the major demonstration, which will coincide with EU Council discussions on the next EU budget, including the CAP budget.

Farmers from the French farm organisation FNSEA will meet the IFA President in Dunkirk and travel with him to Brussels.

Members of the IFA National Council will travel to Brussels on Thursday to join the protest.

Francie Gorman said this is about showing solidarity with fellow farmers as we seek to highlight the critical issues confronting farmers.

The event, which will be the biggest in a decade, will focus on three key themes: the CAP budget, the Mercosur trade deal and excessive regulation around the cost of doing business.

“The initial proposals would leave a significant gap in funding for the CAP programme post 2027. We will be standing with our colleagues from across Europe to deliver a strong and united message that an adequate budget is needed across the twin pillars.”

The protest will also focus on the lack of standards in Brazil, as evidenced by the recent recall of meat with hormones.