Kilkenny IFA held a peaceful protest outside the Council Chamber yesterday afternoon.
Councillors met with members of the local Irish Farmers Association about what they say is the excessive ‘red tape’ now associated with their industry.
Many in the sector have been left frustrated in recent weeks saying their jobs are becoming more difficult with protests ramping up across the country. (Including in Kilkenny and in Carlow) – Deputy President of the organisation, Carlow woman Alice Doyle, was on The KCLR Daily yesterday – hear her conversation with our Brian Redmond here).
Speaking to KCLR News Kilkenny IFA County Chair Brendan Hickey says they had a positive meeting with the local representatives, noting; “In fairness Kilkenny County Council they accommodated us, they agreed to meet us, four or five of us came in there for the last hour we sat down with them, we had a very good productive dialogue and there’s an agreement on the table there that they will look at our resolution, they will forward on our resolution at next month’s meeting, the door is now open and we can have further conversation with our councillors”.
He adds “You will notice out there there’s a lot of young farmers out there like this is February like, two dry days together, we haven’t had this for three, four weeks, two dry days together and they still made it their business to come in here today, they’re angry, they’re frustrated, you know, there’s red tape being put in front of us everytime”>
And he says “There’s rules there and when we get to near the closing point, oh no, the rules have changed, the likes of nitrates derogation, we’re told look if we can get water quality stabilised, we’ll hold our derogation, now they’re saying ‘no’, ‘oh no’ we have to have water quality improvements, stabilisation won’t do, there’s just constant, more, the goalposts are changing and there’s anger and frustration”.
