Single farm payment ‘needs to be maintained at current levels’

THE turbulent times in farming are set to continue and only the fittest will survive, Connacht Gold chief executive Aaron Forde told about 800 people at a forum on farming hosted by the co-op in Claremorris, Co Mayo.

“Without the protection of the traditional European Union tools of intervention and refunds, we are exposed to the volatility of world markets, changes in supply/demand balance, currency fluctuations and climate or food scare events. Therefore, the only way we can protect ourselves as businesses and farmers is by having a relentless focus on doing things better,” he said.

Mr Forde said in the United States and other regions forward contracts and hedging instruments act as buffers for farmers against price volatility. Irish and European farmers have no such mechanisms.