FG view on the fall of farming
When we left government in 1997, agriculture was in a much healthier state.
In 1997, when the FG-led Rainbow Government left office, there were 130,000 active farmers. Seven years on, this figure has fallen to 113,000.
Since 1997, when FF took office, seven farmers abandon farming every day.
In 1997, before FG left office, average farm income stood at €14,000. Since then, incomes have continued to fall. Recent figures indicate that, in real terms, average farm income stands at €11,000, while the average industrial wage is €30,000.
In 1997 the FG-led government spent €60m on farm pollution grants, yet in 2004 this Government spent only €17m on the same scheme, a cutback of 70%. This does not even factor in building inflation. Is this the type of ‘environmental policy’ that FF are so afraid of?
Deputy Kelleher should tell farmers why...
Since this government came into office, farm incomes have declined by an unprecedented 25% in real terms. Average farm income is now just half the average industrial wage, compared to over two-thirds in 1997. Average farm income in 2003 was just over €15,000.
The price of milk which a farmer receives has remained stagnant for a decade while input costs have soared. The price of cattle at factories and at marts has been reduced in some cases by 50%, yet the cost to the farmer has increased. This is best exemplified by the inaction at Government and EU levels on Brazilian beef imports and the fact that an inspection of the Brazilian meat industry, due to take place last April, was postponed after it emerged that the Brazilian cattle-tagging and traceability schemes had been abandoned. This is an appalling situation and again highlights the fact that there is one very regulated system for Irish farmers producing beef for EU consumers, but there is a very lax regime for Brazilian farmers producing beef for the same market. Is it any wonder that Brazilian beef can be produced for €2.90/kg compared to €9.50/kg for Irish beef?
The cost of inputs has risen with no comparable increase in revenue to farmers. Energy, veterinary and fertiliser costs have all increased while prices received by farmers fell substantially since this Government came to power.
Many farmers believe that regulation and red tape from the Department of Agriculture has become excessively burdensome, and is now a major cost factor in farm competitiveness.
Figures are proof, if further proof were needed, that many farmers are continuing to experience real hardships and that the pay-off between what the farmer is putting in and getting back is being squeezed more and more.
Instead of scaremongering, it would be more in Deputy Kelleher’s line to lobby his farm minister and Government to safeguard the livelihood of those farmers still struggling to stay in business.
Cllr Jerry Buttimer
Fine Gael
Cork South Central
Benvoirlich Estate
Bishopstown
Cork
