Mercosur threat to young farmers seeking to enter the sector, says Macra president

Josephine O'Neill gave an impassioned speech at the Mercosur rally in Athlone on Saturday, highlighting the threat of the trade deal to generational renewal

Macra na Feirme national president Josephine O'Neill said young farmers already face barriers in the sector due to the lack of access to land, rising costs, low margins and constant uncertainty.

Speaking at the anti-Mercosur rally in Athlone on January 10, Macra president Josephine O’Neill said the trade deal further threatens generational renewal in farming.

Ms O’Neill highlighted generational renewal and the young farmers still looking to enter the sector, saying: “The Mercosur trade agreement is a direct threat to that future.”