Retired farmers to be allowed to work

Farmers in the early retirement schemes are to be allowed return to certain farming activities, Farm Minister Joe Walsh disclosed yesterday.

He said he had secured European Commission agreement to allow retired farmers who joined one or other of the schemes to work as insured employees in farming-related businesses.

Examples of such employment would include work for co-ops and private companies that provide services to farmers on a contract basis, such as relief milking, silage making, hedge cutting and other such activities.