IFA chief challenges Government’s desire to boost agri-food job creation

IFA president John Bryan has challenged the Government’s stated desire to boost agri-food job creation while simultaneously cutting the sector’s funding.

Mr Bryan yesterday told the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform that total funding for the agriculture budget has been reduced by a greater percentage than any other major Government department. Since 2008, total funding for agriculture has been cut by 41.2%, compared with an average reduction across all Government departments of 12.6%.

The IFA leader said the agri-food sector needs the Government to support farmers, and to help them provide a sustainable stimulus for the Irish economy. This, he said, would drive export growth and job creation.