IFA leader rejects agri-vision conclusions

THE conclusions of the Government’s agri-vision report that there would be only 8,750 viable full-time farmers left in the country by 2015 were rejected by IFA leader John Dillon yesterday.

He described the projection as “a doomsday scenario,” which would also be a catastrophe for the food industry, as the supply of farm produce for processing would wind down.

Mr Dillon said the IFA recognises the important contribution of part-time farmers.

“However, if the Government believes that subsidising low farm income with an off-farm job is a policy for agriculture, they are wrong.

“This is no long-term strategy, and will weaken the whole production base of Irish agriculture within a generation,” said Mr Dillon.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, asked about Mr Dillon’s views before he addressed the IFA annual general meeting, said there have been many similar reports over the past number of years. “These have always given this gloom of how many farmers there would be and how agriculture would develop. The fact, looking back over fifteen years, is that these seem not to have come to past. But there would always be fears and concerns.”

The Taoiseach said he agreed with Mr Dillon that they have in a positive and proactive way to get the best deal at home and abroad for farming, develop agriculture and maximise its potential, always looking at new ways and at value added, and not just trying to paint down what is a very important industry.

Mr Ahern, who also opened a €1.5 million conference centre, part of an extension and redevelopment of the Irish Farm Centre, said the IFA has given the farming community a strong voice and a coherent presence in Irish life.

“You have been resilient and resourceful in protecting the interests of farmers, the agriculture sector and rural Ireland,” he said.