The Irish Farmers' Association is expecting over 2,000 people to attend a protest rally of sheep farmers in Roscommon town tomorrow at 2 p.m., writes Sean MacConnell.
The rally is intended to send a message to the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, and the Government that they are not doing enough to tackle the severe income crisis facing the sector, an IFA statement said. The IFA president, Mr Tom Parlon, said the organisation invited all public representatives, including TDs, senators and MEPs in the Connacht region to attend.
The chairman of the IFA's national sheep committee, Mr Frank Corcoran, said he was extremely disappointed the Minister turned down the opportunity to address the rally.
"However, the IFA will not allow Minister Walsh to run away from his ministerial responsibilities to the country's 45,000 sheep farmers," said Mr Corcoran.
He said lamb prices had collapsed and the ewe premium had been reduced. Lamb prices were back £8 to £10 per head and there had been no increase in the premium since last year.