Low global commodity prices and uncertainty over the UK’s Brexit referendum have subdued farmer interest in land, according to a new report on 2015 land sales and rental activity.

Farm land-rental markets remain subdued, a fact which the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland / Teagasc land report links closely to Brexit fears.

Eamonn Pitts reports from a recent Teagasc/National Rural Network conference on prospects for development of the rural economy

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has given his strongest indication yet that pensioners will escape the brunt of cutbacks in the budget in three weeks time.