IT might have bad memories for the British back in 1940 but the IFA is hoping that ‘Dunkirk 2025’ will be a turning point in helping to secure the future of Irish farming.

On Tuesday night of this week, an IFA deputation landed at Dunkirk from then on the north-eastern tip of France before then making their way to a major protest in Brussels on Wednesday.

The Brussels demonstration – supported by farmers right across the EU – is timed to coincide with the Council of Ministers’ meeting in the Belgian capital where the CAP budget will be one of the items on the agenda.

On Monday, IFA President Francie Gorman along with his 11-year-old son, Tom, departed on a tractor run from the Irish Farm Centre in Dublin on their way to Rosslare Port.

“I want a farming future for Tom the same way thousands of other farm families all over Ireland and Europe want their farm to be viable for the next generation.

“Tom and I are travelling over to deliver that message to the EU institutions next Thursday,” Francie Gorman stated at the weekend.

The European Farm umbrella group, COPA COGECA, co-ordinated Wednesday’s protest in Brussels amidst fears of a cut in the next CAP [Common Agricultural Policy] and the introduction of the Mercosur Trade Deal with the South American block of countries.

Galway IFA Chairman, Stephen Canavan, along with National Farm Family Rep, Teresa Roche; Galway Livestock Rep, Micheál Haverty; and Galway Liquid Milk Rep, John Finn, also travelled to Brussels for the demonstration.

Stephen Canavan told the Farming Tribune that decisions on the CAP Budget and the Mercosur would have a massive bearing on the future of Irish farming.

“We have all learned that decisions taken in Brussels on issues like CAP and Mercosur will have huge implications for the future of Irish farming. The CAP Budget must be protected and the Mercosur Deal must be stopped,” said Stephen Canavan.

Connacht IFA Regional Chair, Brendan Golden, told the Farming Tribune that securing the two pillars of CAP would be vital for the future of Irish farming namely the Direct Payments [Pillar 1] and Rural Development [Pillar 2].

“Absolutely key decisions will be taken in Brussels over the coming weeks and months for the future of farming not only in Ireland but across the EU.

“The future of CAP; the impact of the Mercosur Deal for consumers and human health; and the Nature Restoration Law coming down the tracks next year, are huge issues for Irish farmers,” said Brendan Golden.

Pictured: Ready to roll on Monday last from Dublin for the big European farm protest which took place in Brussels on Wednesday is the Galway IFA contingent of Micheál Haverty, Stephen Canavan, Teresa Roche and John Finn, along with IFA National President, Francie Gorman, and his 11-year-old son, Tom.