Laois farming boy hits the road in tractor to Brussels protest against Mercosur

Young Laois farmer Tom Gorman is playing his part in the IFA's campaign against the proposed Mercosur trade deal between the EU and South America.

Tom is travelling with his dad, Francie, who is the Laois IFA President, in a John Deere tractor to join a protest in Brussels of farmers from across the EU. They will join thousands of farmers opposed to the contentious deal, which Irish farmers fear will flood Europe with cheap South American beef that will devastate EU agriculture.

Watch what Tom had to say before leaving the IFA HQ at the Farm Centre in Dublin.

The support team who will travel with the President are Laois IFA Chair Henry Burns, Kay Gorman, IFA/FBD 2025 Ready to Lead participant Shannon Porter from Donegal and Stradbally man Sean Hennessy from the IFA Press Office.

They arrive in Brussels on Thursday for the Europe-wide farmer protest organised by the European farm umbrella body COPA COGECA.

FOLLOW THEIR JOURNEY HERE

The IFA president explained why he is taking his son.

“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,” said Mr Gorman.

Francie Gorman collected the tractor he will be using at Templetuohy Farm Machinery in Emo.

“I want to thank Pat Bergin and the team for their support for this trip. It’s symbolises the backing that exists across the sector as we highlight the issues that confront us,” he said.

Francie Gorman will arrive in Dunkirk on Tuesday night and will travel from there to Brussels on Wednesday to join up with thousands of farmers from across Europe for the major demonstration, which will coincide with EU Council meeting.

The EU Council, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, is due to discuss the next EU budget, including the CAP budget, and most likely will attempt to ratify the Mercosur trade agreement.

Farmers from the French farm organisation FNSEA will meet the IFA President in Dunkirk.

Members of the IFA National Council will travel to Brussels on Thursday to join the protest.

Mr Gorman said this is about showing solidarity with our fellow EU farmers as we seek to highlight the critical issues confronting farmers.

The event, which will be the biggest in a decade, will focus on three key themes: the CAP budget, trade deals including the Mercosur trade deal and excessive regulation around the cost of doing business.

“The initial proposals would leave a significant gap in funding for the CAP programme post 2027. We will be standing with our colleagues from across Europe to deliver a strong and united message that an adequate budget is needed across the twin pillars,” said the IFA leader.