DEAR SIR:

Sadly as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Irish farmers’ rights campaign, we now have a real income crisis in milk, grain, cattle and sheep and farmers have suffered a very painful year.

Farmers are going broke and many more are on their knees struggling to hang on. There is a perception out there among farmers that the IFA has fallen asleep and have gone way too soft.

All other union leaders are hopping on the bandwagon and the buzz words are pay restoration. Not a word from our leaders about farmers’ cuts restoration.

Farmers took an average cut of €4,000 in the changeover from the REPS scheme to GLAS and a further €1,000 cut in disadvantaged area payments. When are they to be restored to farmers?

The IFA has instead focused on mickey mouse deals – ESB, phone etc – instead of delivering a decent price for our beef and all other farm produce.

The IFA was always a respected, well-resourced, powerful organisation and the envy of all others. It lobbied and delivered for farmers both nationally and in Europe. It was respected and feared at home and abroad.

If the IFA is serious about protecting a future for Irish farmers and winning back the thousands of disillusioned members that have walked away, they must roll up their sleeves and take immediate and decisive action to put intense pressure on processors and retailers to improve farmers’ margins and challenge Minister Creed and Commissioner Hogan to prioritise farm incomes. The IFA must draw a line in the sand to ensure that in future farm profitability is at the core of Irish and EU policy.