The Fine Gael Spokesperson on Agriculture, Billy Timmins, has accused the Government of neglecting farmers.
Mr Timmins also said the Government was deliberately ignoring predictions that a number of people involved in full-time farming will drop by 50% in less than a decade.
He said Teagasc has indicated that unless radical action is taken, the number of full-time farmers will be reduced from 40,000 to 20,000 within eight years.
Mr Timmins said the Government has been aware of this since the Agri-Food 2010 Report, which was published in March 2000, but has not taken any remedial action.
In fact, he said, it has added to the hardship facing farmers with policies that have added to input costs.
Mr Timmins said the Government has failed to engage with the farm organisations and has created a situation where many farmers are now contemplating their future in the industry.
