EU subsidies to Irish farmers and food producers exceed €1.9bn in 2009

IRISH farmers and food companies received more than €1.9 billion in subsidies from the European Union last year with the biggest recipient, the Irish Dairy Board co-op, receiving almost €8 million.

The top 10 payments went to companies, while the biggest farming single recipient was Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, farmer Walter Furlong who received about €402,000, some €30,000 more than in 2008.

Last year’s biggest beneficiary, the sugar company Greencore, which received more than €83m to get out of the business, was not listed in the top 30 this year.