Eamonn Pitts finds reasons to be cheerful for almost all sectors of Irish farming at the Teagasc Rural Economy conference

AGRICULTURE income in Ireland and the other older EU member states will rise by little more than 10% over the next decade, while new member states increase at around 40%, bringing them closer to EU average incomes, according to a report prepared by the European Commission.

AGRICULTURE has attracted commodity investors after the volcanic eruption in Iceland.

AGRICULTURE Minister Brendan Smith is to support tolerance for low level traces of genetically modified material in animal feed imported into the EU. He told the Dáil: “I have informed Commissioner Vassiliou of DG Sanco that my officials will work closely with her officials to agree a proposal for the setting of a tolerance for the low level presence of, as yet, unauthorised GM events.”

AGRICULTURE is the key to economic recovery, the annual Macra na Feirme rally was told at its opening in Bantry, Co Cork, last night.

AGRICULTURE Minister Brendan Smith has warned that some substances crucial to crop protection in Ireland may be withdrawn, causing significant agronomic and economic damage.

AGRICULTURE Minister Joe Walsh last night flatly rejected claims that farmers are being driven out of business by Government neglect.