Farm income rise a once-off boost

A ONCE-OFF boost of 43% in direct payments to farmers in 2005 was the main factor in their 24% income increase for the year, according to the Central Statistics Office.

The late payment of outstanding headage based premia, plus the new Single Farm Payment, in the same year, increased direct subsidies from €1,470m to €2,110m.

IFA Chief Economist Con Lucey said the 2005 farm income of €2,664m was nominally the highest since 1995, which was the year prior to the first big BSE scare.