Farmers for Action (FFA) in Northern Ireland has claimed that the group has been asked to consider a UK-wide tax and fuel protest.
FFA coordinator, William Taylor said: “Farmers for Action are privileged to be asked by farm organisations across the UK and accompanied by support from organisations across these islands to consider a UK-wide tax and fuel protest.
“Currently it has been agreed to wait and watch over the coming days with reference to fuel prices and the government’s reactions to the plight that family farmers, SMEs, the haulage industry and the UK’s work force finds themselves in.
“There is huge concern that current policies are failing to address the pressures facing key sectors of the UK economy.”
A statement from the group said: “It should be noted that Farmers for Action was born out of the fuel strike of 2000.”
Fuel protests
The Republic of Ireland faced a week of fuel protests across the country, starting last Tuesday (April 7).
Disruptions included a vehicle blockade on Dublin’s O’Connell Street, go-slows and blockages on national roads and motorways, and blockades at fuel depots and ports.
Over the weekend, garda operations at various locations, including at key oil and fuel infrastructure, were implemented to remove blockades and secure access for fuel transport vehicles.
On Saturday, garda commissioner Justin Kelly made a statement on garda operations in relation to blockades of critical national infrastructure.
He said blockades are “putting at risk supplies that are critical for our country”.
He added that blockaders must “immediately cease blockades of critical infrastructure and road networks or face the full rigours of the law”.
Also, over the weekend, a “comprehensive” €100 million Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers facing “unprecedented increases” in fuel costs was announced.