While on the campaign trail in Ballybay and Castleblayney mart this week, Fine Gael candidate Cllr Heather Humphreys said there were a number of issues regarding agriculture that Fine Gael in government would have to address.

 Cllr Humphreys outlined the many challenges facing farmers at present. She spoke of the drop in farm incomes, the withdrawal of state supports, market volatility, the proposed changes to CAP - in particular the Single Farm Payment and also of the crippling effects that over regulation and red tape was having on the farming community.

Humphreys said that agri-food sector had been seriously destabilised by the economic crisis.

“During the boom, the construction industry provided a false sense of security for farmers, presenting a source of off-farm employment which masked the lack of Government support and development of the farming sector. In 2008, 40% of farmers held an off-farm job. Of those, 50% held an off-farm job in construction.”

Cllr Humphreys says that when the construction industry collapsed, many farmers quickly realised that adequate support was not in place.

“In the first six months of 2009, off-farm employment for part-time farmers fell by 35%. The reality of this crisis was reflected in farm incomes. The average farm income in Ireland fell by 30% in 2009, three times the EU average, a 40% drop from 2007 to a low of €11,968 and the number of farmers seeking farm assist increased by 200%.”

Cllr Humphreys continued by saying that many farmers in Cavan/Monaghan have been pushed to the brink due to the cuts implemented by the outgoing government.

“There have been cuts in supports to REPS, Early Retirement Scheme, Young Farmers Installation Scheme, Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme…the farmers of this constituency have paid a heavy price for the ineptitude and disastrous mismanagement of the economy by Fianna Fail.”  Even this week there are cases being brought to my attention of non payment of Single Farm Payment and Reps 4 payment.

“There is no doubt that the Agriculture sector will be at the core of economic recovery in Ireland. It employs over 150,000 people in the wider agri-food industry, as well as accounting for about 10% of exports. Fine Gael is committed to a greater efficiency in the way the Department of Agriculture and associated agencies work, getting the best deal for farmers under CAP, a reduction in red tape for farmers and business, fair prices for producers and new opportunities, particularly for young farmers. Our Agricultural spokesperson Andrew Doyle will be publishing our full policy shortly,” concluded Cllr Humphreys.