Farmers and exporters in joint call for sterling equalisation scheme

THE Irish Farmers Association and the Irish Exporters Association held a meeting with Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith yesterday to discuss the need for a sterling equalisation support scheme Exporters association president, Liam Shanahan, said afterwards there had been a constructive dialog on the need for action to protect exporting jobs.

“We impressed upon the Tánaiste and Minister Smith the importance of maintaining a competitive exporting sector.

“Our traditional exporting industries, including the agri-food industry, are being undermined by the 20% depreciation of sterling since the end of 2007.