Sinn Féin Councillor Conor D. McGuinness has said that his party stands with family farmers and rural communities as he expressed solidarity with farmers protesting in Ireland as part of the IFA ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign. he made the comments after meeting a deputation of farmers from across Waterford at City Hall this month.
McGuinness said:
“I stand in full support of family farmers and rural communities. I was the only public representative to attend the IFA rally in Dungarvan last month and have been consistent in calling for fairness, common sense and a level playing field for farmers and food producers.
“There is a growing sense that farming is being demonised over recent years. Its clear that the policies imposed by successive Governments have hindered the sector rather than helping it, and there is an ever growing disconnect between those working at the coal face of food production, and those writing policy in Dublin.
“This Government has turned its back on rural Ireland – cuts to roads budgets and LEADER funding disproportionately impacts rural communities and undermines efforts at economic development and diversification.
“Many family farmers are frustrated with the mounting challenges they have been facing, and rightly so. We know that far too often, farmers do not receive a fair price for their produce, which has been compounded by soaring input costs in recent years.
“As well as this, farmers are increasingly being asked to do more with regard to climate action and biodiversity, and amidst discussion around sustainability and diversification.
“Given the constant policy U-turns farmers have faced from successive Fianna Fail and Fine Gael governments, it is completely understandable that the frustration that farmers in Ireland feel has culminated in the protests taking place across the state.
“This is frustration is deepened by the apparent unwillingness of Minister McConalogue to listen to farm families or to understand their concerns.
“Sinn Féin believes that, at a time when much is being asked of farmers, it is crucial that we support our family farmers to deliver and to thrive into the future.
“The family farm is at the heart of rural communities in Ireland, intertwined with the people in those communities and a cornerstone of rural economies. This has been the case for generations and can and should be the role that family farms play for generations to come.”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 