IFA warns agriculture sector is in crisis

The Irish Farmer's Association is warning that the agriculture sector is in crisis.

Farming families are facing severe income losses of up to €600m.

The IFA claims poor weather conditions combined with government cuts to income support schemes have led to a situation whereby farmer's wages will be slashed by 25% this year.

It said agriculture was one of the most productive sectors here which could have helped us out of the economic crisis but now it has been decimated by government cuts to income support schemes.

IFA President, Padraig Walshe, said the government is largely to blame and is demanding the reinstatement of farm support schemes as a matter of urgency.