Farm incomes - Changes in farming can be positive

The National Ploughing Championships, which begin tomorrow in Mogeely, East Cork, will attract about 150,000 over the course of the three days, and one of the most discussed issues will be that of farm incomes.

The impact of the fundamental changes to the Common Agricultural Policy and the arrival of the single farm payment scheme are realities which have to be confronted by farm families. Irish farmers will receive a payment “decoupled” from what they plant, or how many animals they have.

So, too, will the ramifications of the trade negotiations under the umbrella of the World Trade Organisation, seeking to reduce trade barriers against low-cost imports from poor countries, impact on agriculture.