#Protest@Port - President of the Irish Farmers Association, Joe Healy, says farmers are extremely angry that brokers are continuing to import barley, undermining the Irish grain sector, at a time when incomes are on the floor and the sector is in serious danger of collapse.

The Meath Chronicle writes that at a protest held at Drogheda Port yesterday, where IFA president said the ongoing unnecessary importation of grain in preference to quality local supplies is aggravating an already serious income crisis on Irish tillage farms. This, combined with a lack of political will to address the problems faced by grain producers, poses a serious threat to grain production in this country, he stated.

Mr. Healy added “Grain farmers are extremely angry that some traders and brokers are importing grain when plentiful supplies of quality native grain are available. They are also frustrated at the failure of the EU Commission and the Government to recognise and take action on the unprecedented income crisis facing farmers. The future of grain farming in Ireland is at stake, with current price offers for new crop grain significantly below the cost of production, which is estimated at €145-150/tonne this harvest”

For more on the protest, the paper has a report here.