Reduction in off-farm income has deep impact on families, says MEP

Reduced access to off-farm income is having deep implications for Irish farming families, according to Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness.

While 58% of farm households had off-farm income at the economic peak in 2006, today’s figure is closer to 28%, the Ireland East MEP told yesterday’s annual farm seminar in the Lismullin Conference Centre in Meath.

“Research shows that the income earned by spouses, mostly women, is significant in sustaining both the household and expanding the farm business,” Ms McGuinness said.