Teagasc set to close Dunmanway office
He said the office provides vital advisory services to at least 260 farmers in a wide catchment area and its closure would be a major loss.
Farmers need all the expert advice and help necessary, particularly at this time in order to cope with the changes in agriculture and new regulations relating to nitrates and other issues.
“The area served by Teagasc from Dunmanway has excellent farmers, but they have to operate in very difficult terrain. This makes it all the more important that the office is kept open,” he said.
Mr O’Keeffe said rural development, now taking on a more important role in European Union policy, needs maximum support instead of a withdrawal of services.
He called on the Teagasc Authority and the Government to not alone retain the Dunmanway office but to develop it further.
Teagasc confirmed it is carrying out a review of its office infrastructure in the Cork West region.
