IFA donates €100,000 to Asia appeal

Farmers are to donate €100,000 to the victims of the Asian tsunami disaster, through the Irish Farmers Association.

The announcement was made at the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).

In his message to farmers, IFA president John Dillon said farming would continue to be the backbone of the economy, despite the decline in farm numbers.

“There are 165,000 jobs in agriculture and food processing accounting for 11% of the non-Government workforce. These jobs and earnings are of critical importance to Ireland’s rural economy,” he said.

The 50th anniversary celebrations at the RDS in Dublin were attended by President Mary McAleese, Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan, former IFA presidents and more than 2,000 IFA members.

The IFA currently has 85,000 members and 945 branches. However, the introduction of the single farm payment this year, which is not dependent on a farmer’s level of production, is expected to lead to a further reduction in the country’s 130,000 farmers.