IFA survey reveals lack of young farmers

Less than a fifth of all farmers are under the age of 35, while more than half are over 55, it emerged today.

The Irish Farmers Association revealed only 18% are under 35 and 55% over 55 as it called for more incentives to attract young people into the industry.

IFA president Padraig Walshe told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food the industry was asset-rich but income-poor with the future of farming becoming a part-time job.

The average farm size is only 33 hectares (81 acres) and provides an average income of about €16,000.

“Farming is still by far the biggest and most important industry in rural Ireland,” said Mr Walshe.

“The farming and the food industry service, and the service industries depending on agriculture, provide 320,000 jobs.

“The reality is that farming supports 20% of all jobs outside the public sector.

“With the right policies and support, farming can adapt and develop, and will continue to make a major contribution to modern Ireland.”

Clare South TD Sean O’Fearghail (FF) said the age of farmers was worrying.

“I do not know many farmers in my constituency encouraging their children to look at a future in agriculture whether full-time or part-time,” he said.

“No job is easy. Farming isn’t going to be easy in the future but there’s a livelihood to be made in it and it’s a damn good way of life.”

Mr Walshe told the committee he needed their support to tackle a number of key issues including farm consolidation tax relief, land leasing initiatives, investment schemes and import standards and labelling.

He said: “Irish farmers must meet the highest food safety, traceability and animal health and welfare standards in the world.

“It is totally unacceptable that food imports from countries with much lower standards are allowed to undermine our products in the EU market.

“Such double standards have to stop.”

He said adequate labelling and country of origin identification is directly under the Government’s control and needed to be enforced.

In response to the abrupt end of sugar beet growing in Ireland, Mr Walshe announced the launch of a new project team specifically to promote alternative land uses including bio-energy production and the growing of energy crops.

He added: “The 3,700 farmers who have suddenly found themselves without an income will not be compensated from taxpayers’ money but from a central fund from sugar beet growers in Europe.

“The IFA is ready to play a leading role in promoting all viable land use alternatives.”

Meanwhile, as Mr Walshe was appearing before the Oireachtas Committee, Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan was launching a new action plan for the agri-food sector.

She said: “The plan focuses on three key requirements for success in the light of these challenges: competitiveness, innovation and consumer-focused marketing.

“Competitiveness is not optional for such an export-oriented sector and is the primary objective on which this plan is based.

“In the modern hi-tech food industry, technological progress and product innovation are unremitting and vital to the future of the sector.

“Meeting consumer demands on product, presentation and price are also absolutely critical to our continuing success.”