Ferris calls for R&D in farm sector

WHILE the farm lobby welcomed the thrust of the Budget yesterday, Sinn Féin’s Martin Ferris said it did little to address the needs of Irish agriculture.

Mr Ferris welcomed the extension of stock relief for young qualified farmers and a tax relief scheme for farmers taking anti-pollution measures, but said they were marginal and did not address Irish farmers’ long-term needs.

Calling for substantial investment in research and development, he quoted former Teagasc director Prof Liam Downey, who said farming in marginal areas may disappear by 2020 unless proper research is put in place.