Young Farmers Will Walk From Athy To Dublin For 'Steps For Our Future' Demonstration

Monday, 24 April 2023 15:42

By Caoimhe Harney

File image: Rolling News, Lambs in a field just outside Naas.

Macra na Feirme, is organising the demonstration which leaves from Kildare on Tuesday evening.

Young farmers will on Tuesday walk from Athy to Dublin City Centre "carrying the message for the future of rural Ireland".

Hundreds are expected to take part in the overnight march tomorrow evening, calling for more supports for young farmers.

Macra na Feirme, is organising the 'Steps for our Future' demonstration which leaves from Kildare on Tuesday evening.

On April 25 1944 , Macra was founded in Athy, and that is where members will take the "steps for our future" walk from in Kildare.

Protesters will arrive at Government Buildings at one o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, following a 14-hour walk from Athy.

Macra president John Keane said that over the past two years, the association has "put forward continuous constructive proposals around forming the future that rural young people want in Ireland."

The main issues that are coming to the fore for Macra members are:

The Government's definition of a family farm as 'average' and 'typical';
No recognition or engagement by Government on a farming succession scheme;
Lack of planning for the future of rural communities informed by rural people;
Imposition of quotas on young farmers availing of grant aid support;
Proposals to rewet large areas of rural Ireland.

"On behalf of our members across the country, I am asking that rural people from all over the country support our action," Mr Keane said.

"We are the future of our rural communities, we want to remain in rural Ireland, what we want now is the Government to support youth in rural Ireland," he added.