Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Irish dairy farmers, led by ICMSA, unite in Brussels protest for fair incomes, coinciding with EU council meeting and World Milk Day, urging farmers to vote in June elections
The president of ICMSA, Denis Drennan, expressed relief as the European Union and its member states took decisive action to address the significant challenge posed to farmers’ incomes and the EU’s food security. This critical step signifies a historic moment in safeguarding the agricultural sector’s sustainability and ensuring the EU’s ability to sustain itself in the future.
Dairy Farmers Protest
Farmers linked to the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) are gearing up for a trip to Brussels on Monday, May 27th. They plan to participate in a protest organized by the European Milk Board (EMB). The EMB serves as the umbrella organization representing specialized dairy farmer groups across the EU with ICMSA acting as the Irish representative within this body. The protest themed ‘Fair Income For Farmers No’ aims to unite dairy farmers from various EU countries to push for fairer incomes. This demonstration is strategically timed to coincide with the agriculture and fisheries council meeting on that day and the upcoming World milk day.
Demanding Fair Incomes and Agricultural Sustainability
The ICMSA as the Irish representative within the EMB will actively participate in the upcoming protest in Brussels on May 27th. ICMSA president Denis Drennan emphasized the organization’s commitment to the EMB stating “The ICMSA is an active and proud member of the EMB and sits on the board of that pan-EU dairy farmer alliance of organisations.”
Drennan saying “We’ll be there with our colleagues from right across the continent demanding that the EU and member states finally realise and act on the historic threat to farmer incomes and the ability of the EU to feed itself going forward.”
The ICMSA president stressed the need for a change in attitudes towards farming and indigenous food production allowing farmers and farm families to earn a sustainable income without being forced to leave the sector. He stated “There must be a change in attitudes towards farming and indigenous food production that allows farmers and farm families to make a viable income without having to surrender and exit the sector.”
Drennan also highlighted the upcoming elections on June 7th as an opportunity for farmers to voice their concerns and make choices in their own interests.The ICMSA’s participation in the Brussels protest alongside dairy farmers from across the EU demonstrates the organization’s commitment to advocating for fair incomes and sustainable farming practices within the EMB framework.
Drennan said:
“The elections on 7 June are the chance for farmers to express their wishes and we urge them to exercise that choice in their own interests.”
“In the meantime,ICMSA will fly the flag for Irish farming in Brussels next Monday 27
May”
