'They're outdated' - Group launches campaign to ban tractor runs across Ireland

Environmental group Just Forests kickstarted their nationwide ‘Ban Tractor Runs’ campaign in Tullamore, Co Offaly on Thursday last with a protest in the town centre at the start of the annual charity Tullamore Tractor Run.

“The campaign will run through 2024 at randomly selected towns and villages from Malin Head to Roche’s Point,” said Just Forests founder, Tom Roche.

The environmentalists said: “The current practice of hosting tractor runs, or receiving funds generated by tractor runs by schools and charities in Ireland is as outdated as tobacco sponsorship would be to lung cancer patients. Tractor runs show a total disregard for education for sustainable development (ESD), much needed Climate Action and unquestionable health science.”

“Regardless of how hard pressed the schools and the charities in question are for funding, tractor runs and the resulting carcinogenic emissions that ensues is seriously damaging to our personal and public health,” claimed the Rhode based campaigner,

“Participating schools are not helping their pupils to think outside the box and prepare them for the challenging future that awaits them. They are in fact going against any hope of a just transition to a world where renewable energy becomes the norm. Furthermore, the ever-increasing decline in air quality because of fossil fuel emissions is a source of eco-anxiety and confusion for many school children.”

He said: "Local charities must ask themselves if they really want to be associated with an activity that perpetuates the very illness, they so desperately try to help people cope with. School boards of management have an obligation to prepare their pupils for challenging times ahead through  education for sustainable development.

“Sports clubs must also ask themselves why they would want to receive  sponsorship from fossil fuel companies who are responsible for causing such havoc to sporting fixtures as a result of fossil fuel related weather conditions – from extreme heat to devastating floods never experienced before in this country,” continued Mr Roche.