The Irish Farmers' Association has told the Government it must recognise that support for agriculture in next month’s Budget is critical for the rural economy and to deliver economic growth.
IFA President John Bryan said funding for farm schemes and key taxation reliefs must be retained.
Mr Bryan said the positive growth in the agri-food sector seen in 2010 has continued into 2011, with output growth in primary agriculture and food exports far outpacing the rest of the economy.
He added, however, that farming remains a low-income sector, with average farm incomes in 2010 of less than 18,000 and tens of thousands of farmers still dependent on the farm schemes for viability.
