We’re not free to farm yet

DECOUPLING opens up a new chapter for Irish farmers, but they are stuck with much of their old baggage.

They are ready to face the new challenge, with IFA leader John Dillon advising fellow farmers that they must scale up production to remain viable after the latest post-CAP Reform.

But he recognises that farmers must not over-extend themselves financially in the rush to expand, and correctly identifies land availability and land price as their main obstacle.