Farmers take to tractors to highlight campaign against fracking
A group of farmers will tomorrow (Sunday, June 16) take to their tractors for a run in advance of the G8 summit in a bid to get their opposition to fracking on the national and world stage.
The tractor run from Manorhamilton to the iconic Ballroom of Romance Glenfarne in Leitrim to shine a light on their opposition to the fracking on the national and world stage.
Organisers from Love Leitrim are estimating that at least 80 tractors will turn out from round the Northwest, many from across the border in what they hope will be a 'colourful yet poignant' show of north-south solidarity.
There is a temporary suspension of licensing while research is conducted on the controversial gas mining technique in the Republic of Ireland. However, there is no such suspension in Fermanagh where world leaders meet.
Tamboran, the gas company involved in the area, have stated that they plan to drill this year within Fermanagh, just miles from the border. The agrifood sector is worth €24 billion to the Irish economy according to An Teagasc the Irish Agriculture and Food authority, and that is what is at stake according to the campaign group Love Leitrim.
Sheep farmer Michael Gallagher stresses the importance of farmers taking part in the tractorcade to highlight the pollution risk of gas drilling on the agricultural and food industry. It's a risk that the gas companies say will be removed by the application of strict regulations enforced by government watchdogs.
He states that farmers in the rest of the country might think it’s only to do with the west, but he is concerned that the farming reputation of the whole of Ireland is at risk should it be introduced anywhere on the island. He believes there is already enough information to support a ban, which is the only way to safeguard Irelands food reputation abroad.
“These leaders like the companies are here for a short time, and will be gone,' said Michael. 'We aren’t going anywhere. We are tied to this place and the land we survive off. It's not just our livelihood, it's our life, and it's the lives of the next generation too'
The Tractor run leaves at 1pm and arrives at the Ballroom of Romance in Glenfarne at 2pm.