Farming sector set for €6.8bn boost

THE Government yesterday announced a whopping €6.8 billion package for the farming sector over the next seven years, a move which will ensure their participation in the social partnership process.

It followed months of protracted social partnership negotiations between the Government and the Irish Farmers Association, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, Macra na Feirme and the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society.

The package, which will cover the 2007-2013 period, relates to the agriculture elements of the rural development programme.