Farmers protesting at Dunnes Stores in Bishopstown CourtProtests are continuing at Dunnes Stores in Bishopstown Court as farmers continue to park up in the car park and on one of the entry points into the supermarket.
They say they will continue their blockade until management at Dunnes Stores agree to talks over the price they're getting for their produce.
The Irish Farmers Association say they have been engaging with most of the major retailers and have requested a meeting with Dunnes Stores since early January and to date they say Dunnes have refused to meet with them.
The IFA say pig, poultry and horticulture farmers are experiencing severe difficulties with rising costs in relation to feed, energy and fertiliser and they are seeking their produce be sold for a higher price due to the rising cost of production.
Tim Cullinan President of the IFA told RedFM News that they would rather be working their farms today but have no choice but to raise the serious issues facing their members.
"We're not stopping the workers going into Dunnes Stores this morning, we don't want to be impacting on people's livelihoods.
"But I would say to the general public, that we would like support around this issue now, and just think about shopping in Dunnes Stores at the moment, because if every other retailer has agreed to engage with their suppliers, they're willing to at least engage, and no engagement from an Irish source it's just not good enough."
Nigel Sweetnam, Chairperson of the IFA's National Poultry Committee, and a poultry farmer from Kinsale, says all they want is engagement from Dunnes Stores.
"I'd much rather be at home minding my chickens and looking after my farm, but we've come to the stage here we've been looking to meet with Dunnes since before Christmas.
"The cost has gone through the roof. I'm looking for a future for my three sons who are at home farming with me.
"All we want is engagement from Dunne Stores, that's the key here."
