A farm organisation has warned of a "tipping point" on animal welfare and milk collection as fuel protests enter a fifth day.

The protests, which began on Tuesday, have seen slow-moving convoys of tractors, trucks, buses and other vehicles and blockades on motorways, roads and ports.

Three national fuel depots at Whitegate Refinery, Shannon Foynes Port and the Port of Galway remain restricted because of blockades, and movement at the three sites is extremely limited.

Motorists can expect disruption around the country again today.

Meeting

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon and Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien met yesterday (Friday, April 10), with national representative bodies.

Attendees included agricultural contractors, farming, food, transport, and freight sectors to discuss the significant challenges arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The meeting was also attended by Ministers of State Sean Canney, Noel Grealish, Timmy Dooley and Michael Healy-Rae.

Speaking after the meeting, the president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA), Denis Drennan, said that it is "imperative" that the government immediately brings forward proposals to address the crippling costs on the agriculture and other sectors, and these need to be finalised over the weekend.   

He also said that farmers "entirely understand the motivation and original aims of the protests" and were "uniquely positioned to appreciate the ruinous effects of the current price rises on, specifically, fuel and fertiliser".   

'Financial hammer'

Drennan said that the current situation is "moving very rapidly in a direction that would undermine basic animal welfare".

He asked those participating in the blockade to "ensure that essential feed, fuels and other inputs are allowed to move freely immediately".

“We are aware of farmers who are unable to get feed or nuts from merchants who have been unable to get their supplies out of the ports," Drennan said.

"Farmers are already under a financial hammer; every action and statement from here on must be judged on the basis of a single criterion: does it make the situation of farmers better or worse?"   

Drennan said that on that basis, the ICMSA asks government to bring forward proposals immediately to alleviate the pressures.

"We’d ask those mounting the blockades to allow essential goods to move freely," he added.

Young farmers

Macra was amongst the groups that attended the meeting.

The organisation said that over 370 young farmers, contractors and rural dwellers responded to a fuel and fertiliser crisis survey circulated by Macra to its membership.

The findings highlight the scale of the pressure facing rural communities, with over 94% of respondents indicating they are financially impacted by rising fuel costs, while 72% said they can no longer afford to fill their car since prices escalated.

Macra said it is calling for a cap on fuel prices at pre-crisis levels.

The organisation is also reiterating its call for a dedicated crisis response scheme for farmers and contractors using agri-diesel, reflecting the significant increase in costs in recent months.

Fuel

More than 100 forecourts across the country are currently without fuel the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) heard yesterday.

However the group has also been warned that this figure could rise to 500 as fuel price protests - which included blockades at fuel depots at ports - continue across the country.

The group was told that the blockades continue to cause "major disruption for the public, pose a threat to supply chains, and to the provision of essential services, including emergency response services and public transport".

The NECG is now urging the public to "only buy the fuel they need".

Support package

The government is working on finalising a "significant and substantial" support package to address spiralling fuel prices.

However, key details are yet to be worked out and there will be further engagement between government and sector stakeholders over the weekend.

Stakeholders in the meeting yesterday were apparently told that there will be no supports put forward on fuel prices until blockades end.

It is understood that meetings will reconvene today on a sectoral basis, meaning hauliers will meet with Minister for Transport and farm representatives will meet with Minister Heydon.

'Stand in support'

In a post on social media, protestors have urged people to join.

"We know that many people who are off work, along with those who simply want to stand in support, will be looking to join us and make their voices heard," they said.

"The level of support we have received from every single one of you has been nothing short of incredible - from hot food and supplies to the constant offers of help and encouragement.

"We are truly grateful, and we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts."

They added: "It is becoming increasingly clear that the Irish government is completely disconnected from the reality facing ordinary people across this country, and that is simply no longer acceptable.

"Families, workers, farmers, drivers, and small businesses are being pushed to the limit, yet the voices of the people continue to be ignored."