Farmers facing 'silent extinction' - IFA

The Irish Farmers Organisation has warned that many of its members are facing "silent extinction" because of falling farm incomes.

IFA president John Dillon said 22,000 farmers have left the sector to find other jobs in the past decade and he said farm incomes now average just €15,000 per annum, compared to average industrial earnings of €26,000.

Mr Dillon said the Book of Estimates and the Budget also costs the farming community