Farmers gear up for challenging year
It is hoping in particular for better weather and higher product prices than it experienced in 2002, when farm incomes slumped.
The mid-term review of the Common Agricultural Policy and WTO talks will be among the major policy issues in 2003.
All the major farm enterprises experienced a drop in output and profitability last year, with the dairy and tillage sectors hit hardest.
Teagasc economists say the prospects for 2003 are pointing to static farm incomes or perhaps a small increase.
Against this background, the IFA, headed by president John Dillon, is going ahead with the first of a series of public protests next week over falling farm incomes.
A convoy of tractors will leave Bantry, Co Cork, on Monday and head for Dublin, with farmers from other counties joining it along the route during the course of the week.
There will be a rally outside Government Buildings on the following Friday, January 10.
Other farm bodies are also expected to take part.
ICMSA president Pat O’Rourke, who described last year as disastrous regarding farm incomes, said forecasts for next year at this time indicate that those losses will not be recouped.
Areas of concern could pose serious problems for the farming industry if they are not tackled.
These are all within the remit of the Government and EU, he said.
IFA chief economist Con Lucey said farmers are not entering 2003 from a position of prosperity or in a mood of confidence.
