Fodder beet harvester takes centre stage at Co. Down farmer protest
A fodder beet harvester was the focal point of a recent farmer protest held outside a Tesco supermarket in Banbridge, Co Down.
The machine had been taken straight from the field prior to the event last Thursday night (February 26), which was hosted by Farmers for Action (FFA).
The organisation’s spokesperson, William Taylor, told Agriland: “The harvester was joined by a number of tractors for the purposes of the event.
"Its presence gave members of the general public passing by some sense of the investment commitment being being made by farmers on their behalf."
Farmers in attendance also distributed approximately 300 information leaflets to customers entering and leaving the store.
“There was also an encouraging level of engagement between the farmers taking part in the protest and members of the general public," Taylor said.
FFA remains committed to securing a complete reversal of the decision taken by the Uk government to extend the remit of inheritance to the farming sector.
Taylor explained: “We also want to see the introduction of a Farm Welfare Bill, which will deliver fair prices for farmers.”
Protests
The Banbridge protest was the fifth of six such events planned by FFA, targeting Tesco supermarkets across Northern Ireland.
The initiative culminates with a demonstration that is due to take place on Thursday (March 5) outside Tesco’s main supermarket in Enniskillen.
Separately, FFA has written to all the main supermarkets in the UK asking for their support where the introduction of the proposed Farm Welfare Bill and the reversal of the inheritance tax issues are concerned.
“The letters were sent on behalf of numerous farm lobby groups operating across the UK at the present time," Taylor said.
“We have given the retailers until the middle of March to reply.
“It is vitally important that the supermarkets fully support the cause of farmers at the present time.”
The FFA spokesperson said that the protests are "serving to communicate the many challenges that confront the farming sector at the present time".
“It is particularly encouraging that so many young farmers have taken in the initiative up to this point," he continued.
“And we expect the same momentum to be maintained in Enniskillen later this week.
“The imperative has never been greater to secure prices for farmers that reflect their full costs of production while also allowing them to invest in the future of their businesses.
“This is why Westminster must commit to supporting the proposed Farm Welfare Bill.”
