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LIMERICK RURAL COUNCIL DEFIES CATTLE EMBARGO AMIDST GROWING FARMER HARDSHIPS | Limerick Archives

LIMERICK RURAL COUNCIL DEFIES CATTLE EMBARGO AMIDST GROWING FARMER HARDSHIPS

LIMERICK, Saturday – The Limerick No. 2 Rural District Council convened today to address the severe difficulties faced by the local farming community due to the sudden closure of the Limerick port for cattle shipments. Mr W. Keane, the Chairman, spoke passionately about the hardships inflicted on farmers and the absence of any reported cases of foot and mouth disease in the Limerick district. Despite the lack of disease presence, the council finds itself in defiance of the prevailing embargo, advocating for the reopening of the port to alleviate the mounting challenges faced by local farmers.

Mr Keane expressed his concerns during the meeting, emphasizing that not a single case of foot and mouth disease had been reported in the Limerick district. He argued that in the absence of any such cases, the stringent restrictions on cattle shipments from the port should be reconsidered. The chairman, in a resolute tone, questioned the rationale behind continuing the embargo, especially when other regions faced no such disease threat.

The focal point of the meeting was a proposed resolution urging the Department of Agriculture to reverse the embargo and reopen the Limerick port for the shipment of cattle. The resolution emphasized the lack of reported foot and mouth disease cases within a 60-mile radius of Limerick. Council members passionately supported the motion, pointing out the economic repercussions of the embargo on the already struggling farming community.

The motion was ultimately adopted, gaining the council’s approval. However, it came with an additional addendum, urging public bodies in Limerick to take up the issue collectively. With Limerick being the only available port for cattle shipments to Munster and Connaught, the council members stressed the importance of collabourative efforts to address the escalating crisis faced by local farmers.

The decision to challenge the cattle embargo reflects the dire situation in which local farmers find themselves. The closure of the Limerick port has disrupted the established trade routes, leaving farmers in a lurch. The inability to transport cattle to their intended destinations has not only strained the financial stability of farmers but has also raised questions about the efficacy of such stringent measures in the absence of any reported disease outbreak.

Farmers attending the meeting echoed the sentiments of the council, expressing their frustration over the lack of consideration given to their plight. Many spoke about the economic strain caused by the inability to sell or transport their livestock. The closure of the Limerick port, a vital link for cattle shipments, has left them with limited options and an uncertain future.

As news of the council’s decision spread, it garnered support from various quarters. Local businesses, already grappling with economic challenges, voiced their concerns about the broader impact on the region’s economy. The embargo has not only affected farmers but has also disrupted the entire supply chain, causing a ripple effect on businesses associated with the agricultural sector.

The resolution passed by the Limerick No. 2 Rural District Council has set the stage for a potential showdown between local authorities and the Department of Agriculture. The council’s call to action, urging other public bodies in Limerick to join the cause, reflects a unified front against what many perceive as an unnecessary and detrimental embargo.

The Department of Agriculture, yet to respond to the council’s resolution, is likely to face increasing pressure to reevaluate the situation. As the only available port for cattle shipments to Munster and Connaught, the closure of the Limerick port not only impacts local farmers but also raises concerns about the broader implications for regional economies.

The coming days are poised to witness intensified discussions and negotiations between the Limerick No. 2 Rural District Council and relevant authorities. The resolution passed today marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle of the local farming community against the economic hardships imposed by the cattle embargo. As the region awaits a response from the Department of Agriculture, the spotlight remains firmly on Limerick, where defiance against the embargo has emerged as a rallying cry for farmers and businesses alike.

Dublin Daily Express – Monday 13 April 1914

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