ASA concerned over farm programme

THE Agricultural Science Association (ASA) has expressed concern about the future of the daily farming programme Farm News, following the recently announced changes in the RTÉ radio schedule.

ASA president James Fitzgerald said yesterday his information from within RTÉ is that Farm News will not be included in the new Drivetime programme which will be broadcast between 5pm and 6.30pm each weekday from September next.

“Farm News has been the flagship agricultural programme on RTÉ radio for the past 31 years. It has provided a vital service to the agri-food industry and rural Ireland.

“Its demise would represent a serious breach by RTÉ of its public service broadcast remit,” he said.

“As the body representing professionals in all areas of the agri-food sector, the ASA is calling on RTÉ management to ensure that this vital service continues to have a prominent position in the new broadcast schedule,” he added.

ICSA president Malcolm Thompson has also urged RTÉ management not to further erode agricultural programmes.

“The new shake-up of the RTÉ Radio 1 schedule has made no mention of Farm News, and its future has not been confirmed, which is distressing,” he said.

Mr Thompson said the programme is a vital link in the agri-business sector.

A spokeswoman for RTÉ said: “Schedule planning will continue throughout the summer and RTÉ radio will talk to all interested parties, including the farming communities.”