Clare farmers have been venting their frustration at what they say are ‘out of hand’ fuel prices.
Diesel is currently costing more than 2 euro a litre on average at the pumps.
The grunts of the cattle for sale here today mirror the moods of farmers across the county, who travel from far and wide to be here each Tuesday and Thursday.
The cost for those farmers to fill their tanks to get here though has doubled in the last year, some of them say.
Diesel prices have increased by 4 percent over the last month alone, with petrol now being seen at 20 to 25 cent cheaper across most filling stations.
Manager here at the Clare Marts, Martin McNamara, says costs are having a knock on effect in other areas of the agriculture sector.
Listen back to the full interview here:
Many farmers here say it isn’t possible for them to cut back on their journeys, with a number having to travelling outside of the county frequently in the course of their work.
A number of people here believe the prices of fuel and filling their tanks have now “gone out of hand”.
One West Clare farmer believes the costs are only going to get higher for farmers, saying people in his area have no choice but to travel to Kilrush and Ennis to do business.
Patrick Mangan, who travelled here today from Quilty, believes it’s going to be a difficult winter for the industry.
