Stephen Cadogan: Teagasc advice ‘mission critical’ after 44%loss of staff

No time should be lost by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney in responding to the Teagasc warning that at least 240 front-line advisers are needed for it to play its role in the expanding agri-food sector.

Support for the Teagasc case has come the top in the EU, with Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan emphasising Teagasc’s vital role in rural Ireland.

He only pointed out the obvious, that farmers need knowledge and advice to increase productivity, and Teagasc has an enormous role to play in achieving that.