Farmers back alcohol sponsorship of sports

The Irish Farmers Association has thrown its weight behind retaining alcohol sponsorship of major sporting events.

As the Government considers the cessation of such sponsorship, the IFA said a downturn in the drinks industry would have a knock-on effect on its members, who supply thousands of tonnes of product to alcohol producers.

IFA president John Bryan said the drinks industry uses over 200,000 tonnes of malting barley, 300m litres of milk, and 40,000 tonnes of apples each year.