| Reacting to the provisional CSO figures which show farm incomes up 46% this year, IFA President John Bryan said the income increase indicates a strong recovery in the sector after two very difficult years in agriculture, where incomes dropped by over 40%. John Bryan pointed out that based on today’s figures, average farm income stands at €17,500. “The Single Farm Payment and the farm schemes are crucial for all farm families and continue to make up a very significant proportion of net farm income.” Mr Bryan said, “From a point 12 months ago where farm incomes collapsed, this improvement is very much needed by farm families whose livelihoods were badly affected by a range of factors in 2008 and 2009. The recovery in farm incomes augurs well for the planned expansion in the sector, which will drive exports and jobs and contribute to Ireland’s economic recovery.” On livestock, the CSO figures show an output increase of €177m, taking account of stock changes based on the June livestock survey. However, the Department of Agriculture AIMS data as of August 1st, which is a full count of all livestock on Irish farms, show that stock numbers are down by 327,706 animals, or an estimated €140m. Concluding, the IFA President said, “Looking ahead to 2011, greater equity in the food supply chain is essential to provide viable incomes to producers, as feed, fuel and fertiliser costs escalate. Retailers will have to pass back some of their excessive margins to producers across all commodities - milk, beef, lamb, pigs, poultry, eggs and fresh produce - to reflect increasing on-farm production costs.” |
Friday, 10 December 2010 16:06