Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

South Armagh Farmers fill Tí Chulainn for Farmer's Forum with Bairbre de Brún

Published: 26 November, 2008

Last night's (25th November) Farmer's Forum in Tí Chulainn provided an ideal opportunity for all those in the farming community to come along and raise any issues they wished with their MEP, Bairbre de Brún. Those present could also raise issues or question the rest of the panel: Conor Heaney (Special advisor to the Minister of Agriculture), local councillor Terry Hearty, and Sinn Féin's rural policy makers, Seán McPeake and Damien McGenity.

The night began with an update from Bairbre on the work which she is doing for rural Irish communities in the European Parliament, following which Conor Heaney explained the Farm Organisation Scheme and Damien McGenity gave an update on the negotiations over rural planning and PPS14. The forum was then opened to the floor for questions.

Speaking after the event Ms. de Brún said,

"I was delighted to receive such a warm reception from the people of South Armagh and listen to the issues affecting the farming community here and answer their questions. Tonight's event covered a very broad range of issues; from the difficulties of exporting beef to Italy and the Netherlands to rural planning and the lack of broadband facilities in rural areas. Many farmers in South Armagh expressed their frustration at being labelled as UK farmers as they therefore suffer the consequences and export restrictions caused by an outbreak of diseases in British livestock. This is an issue which I have raised at the highest level in the European Parliament and which Michelle Gildernew is also pursuing."

Crossmaglen Sinn Féin councillor Terry Hearty said,

"Bairbre certainly attracted a huge crowd to Tí Chulainn and after speaking to several of those in attendance I know that everyone enjoyed the event. Some of those present informed us of their frustration at the lack of information available from DOE on PPS14 and I have assured them that Sinn Féin will distribute information and advice on PPS14 via the internet, newssheets and local press."

Ms de Brún concluded,

"Events like these are extremely important for me to hear the views directly from our farming communities so that I can fight for them in the European Parliament, I intend to continue such events on a Six County wide basis" ENDS