Farmers take to the streets in protest at the drop in farm incomes

FARMERS plan to take to the streets next week in a series of public protests to highlight the drop in their incomes from agriculture.

A combination of bad weather, reduced yields and difficult world markets contributed to lower prices for products in 2002. The wet summer also increased costs.

Government cutbacks, increased charges and the proposed major changes to the Common Agricultural Policy added to a growing sense of crisis and gloom among farmers.