IFA: Conference presents fresh opportunities

The two-day EU rural development conference, which concluded in Cork yesterday, presented opportunities to Brussels. That is the view of the IFA, which urged Brussels to reverse Rural Development Programme budget cuts and put in place support measures to address the low-income crisis on farms and the economic decline of many rural areas.

IFA Rural Development Committee chairman Joe Brady said that, while the Irish economy is recovering and jobs are being created, many rural areas are being left behind.

A second Cork Declaration elaborating a rural development blueprint for the 21st century was the focus of the conference. The first Cork Declaration of 20 years ago led to rural development being adopted by Brussels as the second pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy.