Farmer exodus from land, says Deenihan
More than 1,000 farmers in the area had quit farming in the last 10 years and the trend was continuing, Fine Gael TD Jimmy Deenihan also claimed.
He said: “The number of farmers who’re simply giving up is quite frightening. They’re leaving the land on a weekly basis and I know of many who say this will be their last year farming.”
Mr Deenihan, speaking at a Kerry County Council meeting, said there was an urgent need for more jobs, especially in the Listowel area.
Efforts to find an occupier for a vacant advance factory in Listowel had failed, so far, and politicians and State agencies would have to work together on the issue.
Cllr Michael Connor Scarteen said many farmers had also left the land in South Kerry. Some farmers could not sell land for housing because of planning restrictions.
“Their land is worthless. They can’t eat the scenery and they can’t live on fresh air,” he said.
