Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness has said she is alarmed at ‘the abject failure of the Government’ to plan for the future of agriculture.
Speaking after she opened the National Livestock show in Tullamore, Ms McGuinness accused the Government of focusing on a dangerous agenda of slashing farm supports.
However, speaking on RTÉ’s This Week programme earlier, Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith rejected claims from farming groups that he was not doing enough to support farmers.
Around 60,000 spectators attended the Co Offaly event, which is the largest summer festival for Irish farmers.
The Tullamore Show had been growing spectacularly during the early parts of this decade. However, poor weather conditions forced the late cancellation of the event for the last two years.
After these disappointments, the organisers have found a new venue for the show.
It was held on the 260-acre Butterfield Estate near Blueball, which is about 3km outside Tullamore.
There were 650 trade stands at the showgrounds in Blueball and some of the best livestock in the country is on display.
Speaking at the show, IFA Deputy President Derek Deane said the event was an important show-piece, highlighting the significance to the economy of Ireland's €2bn beef and livestock sector.
Mr Deane said there is real anger and frustration among farmers over cutbacks in Government spending on agriculture, and warned it would be a massive own goal by the Government if it imposes An Bord Snip Nua cutbacks.
