CSO figures 'over-stated' farm income

RECENT figures from the Central Statistics Office show that it has been seriously over-stating national farm income for many years, the IFA has claimed.

Con Lucey, chief economist, said the IFA understands the new figures result from a major review of the information used by the CSO in making this calculation each year.

"The latest figures from the CSO show that national farm income in 2003 was €2,175m, whereas in February they said it was €2,590m, an over-estimate of 19%.