Agriculture still vital, says minister

SUGGESTIONS that agriculture is a sunset industry of diminishing relevance in a modern Irish economy were rejected by Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan at the Agricultural Science Association conference in Sligo yesterday.

“Nothing could be further from the truth. This type of ill-informed view has to be countered.

“We cannot accept a blinkered view of agriculture, which attempts to isolate it from the many vital functions it fulfils,” she said.

Ms Coughlan said agriculture and food are clearly part of a chain supplying the essentials for human existence.