Farm schemes essential to provide supplement to incomes, says IFA

VITAL farm schemes must be maintained to underpin the recovery of the agriculture sector in 2011 and beyond according to IFA president John Bryan.

Reacting to the latest Teagasc farm income figures, he said 2009 was an exceptionally bad year, with commodity prices collapsing, very poor weather and the impact of Government cuts.

“The stark figures of a 30% fall in farm incomes to €12,000 highlight the importance of maintaining funding for farm schemes,” he said.