EU proposals would benefit farmers

Dublin: Most of Ireland’s dairy and beef farmers would do better if EU proposals for reforming the CAP are implemented, according to Teagasc analysis.

The 2003 Teagasc outlook conference was also told in Dublin yesterday that the new EU policies would result in a rapid decline in the number of dairy farmers from 26,500 at present to 15,000 by 2012.

Teagasc economist Thia Hennessy, who is attached to the FAPRI Ireland analysis unit, predicted dairy farmers who stay in production would be better off due to a substantial increase in milk output.