FARMERS AND agricultural businesses are to stage a symbolic shutdown today to highlight concerns about the direction of the latest round of world trade talks.
Thousands of farmers are expected to be joined by representatives from across the agriculture sector in a street protest to coincide with a visit to Dublin Castle today by President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso. Mr Barroso is due to address the European Forum.
Support for the protest, organised by the Irish Farmers' Association, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association and Macra na Feirme, has gained momentum over the past week.
Creamery co-operatives, meat processing plants, marts, veterinary outlets, grain suppliers and even some auctioneering houses have signalled their intention to close from noon to 3pm.
Agriculture interests claim that a world trade deal agreed on the terms put forward by EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson would virtually wipe out the sector here as Europe would become flooded with agricultural produce from non-EU countries. The protest has drawn the support of at least seven county councils. Cavan, Carlow, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Waterford and Wexford councils have each passed a motion calling on the Government to assert Ireland's vital national interest and reject Mr Mandelson's concessions in the trade talks.
Their view that the outcome of the current negotiations would cost the Irish economy €4 billion and see 50,000 farmers put out of business, along with 50,000 job losses in the processing sector, has been gaining support.
Agricultural Science Association president Gerry Scully said yesterday that its evaluation of the impact of such cuts would put Ireland's agricultural industry at serious risk. Traffic disruption is expected in Dublin city centre today when the main body of protesters gather at the EU Commission offices on Molesworth Street.
Shortly before 2pm, the protesters will march to Dublin Castle via Dawson St, Nassau Street, Suffolk Street, Trinity Street and Dame Street to Dublin Castle, arriving before 2.30pm.
Alison Healy adds: Outgoing Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's final act should be to exhort all donor governments to buy up and divert food stocks to the world's poor, Goal chief executive John O'Shea said yesterday.
He said hundreds of millions of people were threatened by a price rise that could put basic staples beyond the reach of ordinary people.
"Goal is asking the Irish Government to lead the world in ensuring that basic needs are prioritised," he said. "The needs of the hungry come first. Hundreds of millions of people need food now, but cannot get it. There is no point diverting land and crops for fuel if we are going to leave so many people hungry.
"This needs to be done now, as a temporary measure, to ensure this crisis does not spiral out of control."