IFA demonstration at Cappoquin Chickens as one of Ireland's most modern plants goes into liquidation

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Today a large demonstration was held by Waterford IFA outside Cappoquin Chickens-in liquidation- to protest at the plight of the poultry industry. Speakers included Padraig Walshe President of the IFA, Derek Deane IFA, Michael Keane Waterford IFA and Ned Morrissey chairman of IFA poultry committee.

Present also were Senator Paudi Coffey (FG), Cllr Nora Flynn (FG), Cllr Declan Doocey (FG), Cllr Kevin Wilkinson (FF), Cllr James Tobin (FF). There was IFA support from counties such as Monaghan and Meath. There was widespread local support not alone from farmers but from local business interests and the general public also. The closure of Cappoquin Chickens would hit 40 growers and 20 rearers and breeders and result in the loss of 150 permanent jobs and 50 seasonal jobs.
This protest received widespread coverage from RTE radio and television and TV3. In addition there were representatives of the printed media present. Growers are particularly thankful to the media for highlighting the plight of the poultry industry. The Irish poultry industry is now on the verge of extinction.

There was strong criticism of supermarkets which continuously push through reductions in chicken prices whilst maintaining their own profit margins. Processors pass on these reductions to the growers who then find profit margins further squeezed. In the words of one speaker "You cannot produce two chickens for the price of one". For growers profit margins are counted in cents. There was strong criticism of the lack of traceability of much of the foreign chicken used by caterers and take aways. Government policy on relabelling of foreign chicken as Irish-if it has been through Irish processors-was roundly criticized. There was a demand for action by the Government.

The local growers produce very high quality chicken which is much superior to an imported variety which often lacks traceability. In addition there is an excellent work force and a highly modern processing plant. With proper investment this plant has a future. An added bonus is that growers,rearers and breeders are highly flexible.

If this plant closes the spectre of economic Armageddon looms for west Waterford.

Mandelson sell out at WTO talks supported by some Irish businessmen and academics

Irish apologists for a sell out quote press releases on farm incomes from Teagasc (The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority). Even in the worst years for Irish farming Teagasc comes out with a positive spin in relation to Irish farming incomes. Teagasc figures tell half the story. Where for instance is there a reference to rocketing costs? Interest rates, electricity, gas and diesel prices have spiralled out of control. Farm maintenance, insurance and building costs are prohibitive. Government/EU imposed regulation hinder agriculture. Many farmers can no longer afford to purchase fertilizers. That is the reality. It is not spin.

Academics such as Alan Matthews seek to explain away the negative effects of any WTO deal. Matthews needs to get out of his academic ivory tower. His livelihood is not on the line. Irish supporters of the putative WTO deal make references to EU farm subsidies. They conveniently omit to state that these subsidies are paid as a quid pro quo for production cuts. And now Mandelson is supporting more EU agricultural production cuts.

The IFA assessment of the loss of 100,000 jobs is correct. Not alone will many thousands of farmers go out of business, but thousands of jobs in food processing and other spin off industries will go. Rural Ireland will become a desert. Those 100,000 jobs exist at present. So why should we should throw them away for half baked promises of service jobs that we may secure in the future on the back of a new WTO agreement. It is time to get real. Mandelson wiped out the sugar beet industry. Dairying, beef, poultry will now go the same way.

Academics such as Matthews and certain business elements are prepared to throw away food security for cheaper food imports that often lack traceability. No mention of the health of consumers. The majority of Third World farmers will gain nothing from the proposed WTO deal. The ranchers in the US, Brazil and Australia will benefit. Meanwhile the US increases its subsidies to a handful of ranchers whilst EU farmers will be put out of business.

There is no guarantee that Ireland will continue to increase its service employment on the back of a revised WTO deal. Much of this-within the next 10 years-will start moving to countries such as India. Also there is a strong likelihood that the 12.5% Corporation Profits Tax will be neutered by the EU. I say hold what jobs we actually have. These farming jobs are based on our natural resources. An Irish failure to veto Mandelson's proposals -as currently constituted -would be the ultimate in political folly. Prior to the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty Brian Cowen promised Padraig Walshe of the IFA that he would use the veto if necessary. It is time for the VETO.

Questions and Answers debates Irish Agriculture

Maeve Dineen Editor of the Farming Independent and Presenter of RTE’s rural life programme Ear to the Ground was the star panelist. She was articulate and direct in her answers. She displayed a clear insight into farming problems and the threat posed to Irish farming by the WTO.

Journalist Eamon Delaney is apparently a strong supporter of Brian Cowen. He emphasized that Ireland has benefited immensely from free trade. This is fine as far as it goes. He obviously supports free trade in food. Unfortunately he failed to refer to the dangers posed by imports -of food products such as beef from Brazil- which often lack traceability. Is he not concerned with the health implications? Is he not concerned at EU hypocrisy on the environment? Apparently the EU is determined to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. Yet it is prepared to increase beef imports from Brazil. Much of these will come from the destruction of the Amazonian Rainforests. The burning of the forests will increase the levels of CO₂ in the atmosphere. Eamon Delaney's support for free trade in food fails to take account of the necessity to ensure security of supply.

Padraig Walshe of the IFA emphasized the dangers poised by the WTO. He stressed that 50,000 farmers would disappear and that a further 50,000 off farm jobs would go.

Eamon Gilmore and John Gormley were largely supportive of Irish farmers. Will John Gormley push for the use of the veto if necessary? Will the Government use the veto to rein in Peter Mandelson who appears to have gone beyond his brief at the WTO.