Falling farm incomes - An industry under threat

FARMING is cyclical. A bad year or two is usually followed by a few good years but the income crisis facing today’s farmers is almost beyond precedent.

Yesterday the Irish Farmers’ Association said farmers face a 28% fall in earnings this year. This follows a 13% cut last year. These figures are unsustainable and threaten the future of the industry.

Incomes are at a generational low even though consumers expect ever-higher production and animal welfare standards from our food producers and processors.