Rising costs and reduced prices threaten grain production viability

The viability of Irish grain production is in question as a result of a relentless increase in costs over the last few years and reduced grain prices for the 2013 harvest, the Irish Farmers' Association claimed yesterday.

Grain Committee chairman Noel Delany said, over the last 10 years, there has been a substantial increase in input costs particularly for fuel and fertiliser.

Fertiliser prices alone have increased by a massive 260% while fuel prices have gone up by over 200%.