A combination of factors is contriving to put unprecedented pressure on the Irish and European Union model of family farming, the Irish Farmers Association president Eddie Downey claimed at a conference held in Dublin yesterday to celebrate the UN International Year of Family Farming.

Family farms have a vital role to play in ensuring future food production develops in a sustainable manner, said IFA president Eddie Downey.

So 2014 is the UN International Year of Family Farming. Meaning what, exactly?