Smith rejects IFA income tax claims

MINISTER for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Brendan Smith has rejected claims by the president of the IFA in relation to the publication of figures by his department showing the average tax paid by Irish farmers in 2007.

The figures were published in the Department’s Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 2007/2008, on June 30.

Mr Smith pointed out that, at the time of publication, he drew particular attention to the value of the agri-food sector, accounting for 8% of employment and 10% of exports. He highlighted the huge importance of farming and the agri-food sector to the economy, in terms of employment and also as a big contributor to regional development.