Cuts ‘will undermine agriculture’

A NATIONAL strategy needs to be put in place for the Irish agri-food industry before it goes the way of the coal miners in Britain, the Agricultural Science Association annual conference was told in Dublin.

The conference also heard that farming cuts imposed by the Government and proposed by An Bord Snip will seriously undermine the positive contribution of agriculture to the economy and will lead to 12,000 job losses in rural areas.

Economist Jim Power, who called for the national strategy, said Ireland has neglected to properly develop and exploit its “food island” reputation and has created a basic commoditised and relatively low-value industry. He said the economic downturn has created intense challenges for rural communities as jobs in construction and in traditional manufacturing activities are being shed, while at the same time farming is experiencing difficult times.