Ó Cuív hails small food production

SMALL food production can be a new pillar for the rural economy, it was claimed yesterday.

Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuív said the number of people employed directly as full time farmers has fallen from 40% of the working population in 1960 to 3% today. The professional pessimists see only doom and gloom in this change, but others recognise the new opportunities to do things differently with the same quality materials.

Mr Ó Cuív said small food production must be seen more as a premium enterprise rather than just an artisan’s niche, if that opportunity is to be embraced. He told a small food producers forum held under his department’s auspices in Tullamore, Co Offaly, the Government has been working to make progress in adapting to the realities facing rural Ireland.