Social issues are key to votes

Social issues such as unemployment, austerity, emigration, and crime are increasingly to the fore as key issues influencing the farming vote.

The Irish Examiner/ICMSA survey on farming attitudes found that, while the agricultural policies of the various political parties remain the top priority for farmers when deciding to vote, a large number of farmers also have social issues to the forefront of their minds when voting.

A total of 62% of farmers cited agricultural policies as the most crucial influence when deciding on what way to vote.