Farmers Warn of Tillage Crisis at Kildare Meeting as Calls Grow for Urgent Government Support

Farmers from across Wexford and around the country gathered in large numbers at the Killashee Hotel last night to warn that the tillage sector is in crisis.

Around a thousand people attended the meeting, where farm organisations and industry groups united to press Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon for urgent financial support. While the Minister acknowledged the sector’s difficulties, he stopped short of promising funding in next month’s Budget. Growers say many face serious losses after this year’s harvest, particularly those renting or leasing land, and are calling for Government commitments to be honoured. Fine Gael TD for North Wexford South Wicklow Brian Brennan attended last night's meeting. He said that it's crucial that tillage farmers receive financial support: "I felt it was so important that I turned up to that meeting last night to support the Irish tillage industry. It is simply on its knees at the moment and they need help. Martin Heydon was questioned, very, very fair, but very firm questions came from the floor on many aspects. But the bottom line is that they need financial support in this budget and I personally will be doing everything to support this industry. It has a huge bearing to many of my constituents and I'm very aware of the hardships they're going through at the moment."