Farmers and Minister in war of words over farm income figures

A WAR of words has erupted between the Irish Farmers’ Association and the Agriculture Minister over the real figures for farmers’ incomes.

Each side is accusing the other of distorting income figures for farmers, which is one of the main issues of the current dispute.

The IFA says the average farm income has fallen to less than €15,000 a year compared to the average industrial wage of €26,000.