New research has identified that more than eight out of ten people believe farming is having a positive effect on Ireland's countryside.
The study conducted by TNS/mrbi on behalf of Agri Aware has identified that 83% of the Irish public believe that farming is benefiting the rural environment, which is a 25% increase since 1997.
The report also shows that in 2007, a majority of the public believes farmers are treating their animals with greater care than ten years previous.
The research was conducted in June on behalf of Agri Aware among 1,000 people nationwide.
The results were then benchmarked against an identical study conducted with 3,000 members of the public in 1997 by the Independent Graduate Research Group.
In the study, 83% of the public believes that farming is beneficial to the rural environment; a 25% increase since 1997.
73% of people believe that farmers treat their animals very well or well, which is an increase of 17% since 1997.
54% of people believe that school children have a reasonable to good understanding of farming.
74% believe that time on the farm and education are the best sources of information on farming for children.
72% believe that agriculture is very important to the Irish economy, which is an increase of 7% from 65% in 1997.
Agri Aware Chairman Mairead Lavery said the research has highlighted a very positive step forward for farmers and the agri-industry.
In 1997, many people envisaged agriculture as an industry that was dying at the hands of the Celtic Tiger and urbanisation.
However, she said, it is clear that the public strongly believes the agricultural sector remains an important part of the Irish economy and in maintaining rural legacy.
