Labour sets out its vision for rural Ireland

THE Labour Party says that how Irish agriculture and its associated industries fare will, to a large extent, determine the degree and nature of rural development in Ireland.

The party’s 21-point plan for rural Ireland includes policies to encourage part-time farming, and to ensure uptake of the Farm Assist and Rural Social Scheme programmes, but larger farms would also be facilitated, through stamp duty relief and land leasing incentives.

Labour would improve the early retirement schemes for farmers.