Review: Farmer’s incomes grow by average of 16%

Farmer’s incomes grew by an average of 16% last year, despite the effects of the Foot and Mouth crisis and BSE.

The rise in income equates to an overall improvement in the sector of 5%, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Annual review and Outlook for 2001, which was published today.

Agriculture Minister, Joe Walsh, says the prospects for the year ahead are promising.

“The prospects for the coming year are quite positive for the major commodity areas. You can never tell in farming however as you are so dependent on the weather, on markets, on animal disease and food scares but at this stage it is positive.”