Farmer numbers ‘must be retained’

FARMERS and farm-connected people must remain a high percentage of the total rural population, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Eamon Ó Cuiv told a North Cork County IFA meeting in Mallow.

He said despite political objectives the reality is the number of full-time farmers in Ireland is dropping and will continue to do so.

The reason is that it takes more and more land for a farmer to have a standard of living comparable to that enjoyed by people on the average industrial wage.

“If we wish to keep farming at the heart of rural development, it is vital that we accept the need for a mix of farming models,” he said.

Mr Ó Cuiv said there is also a need to develop as many jobs and services in rural communities as possible, providing quality services and opportunities, particularly for the young.

He said the Rural Social Scheme will give improved services in a more efficient way and at the same time ensure a basic income for small farmers.

ICOS president Donal Cashman said the Irish dairy sector is facing significant change at production, processing and marketing levels.

Producers and processors will face increased cost and market challenges. There will be greater price volatility, and the impact of wage and general cost inflation will be felt.

Mr Cashman said the sector can optimise opportunities by improving processing efficiency, optimising product mix and marketing, scaling up dairy herd sizes and using land and enterprise flexibility arising from decoupling.

Stressing that pressure must be put on the European Commission for supports, he said product value-added strategies and investment will also reduce exposure to support price cuts.