IFA must be ready for both the challenges and opportunities

Q&A: Eddie Downey

The challenges facing farmers and Irish agriculture have never been greater. The overhang from the fodder crisis and inflexibility of our banking sector, along with strong input prices, have led to tighter margins and reduced incomes.

We have seen how budgetary cuts over the last three years, and reductions in EU funded schemes, impacted on farm incomes, while at the same time, the supermarkets and multiples have maintained their margins and profits at the expense of farmers.