Farmers and consumers to benefit from €8.7bn plan

THE €8.7 billion provision for the agriculture and food sector in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 will benefit consumers as well as farmers.

Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan stressed the dual benefit yesterday, pointing out that the package represents an 85% increase on the €4.7 billion total expenditure under the last programme.

Some €2.1 billion of the agri-food provision will be met from the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development.