Taoiseach Simon Harris dropped by to the Virginia Agricultural Show today where he met IFA President Francie Gorman. The farming leader took the opportunity to remind An Taoiseach that Budget 25 is an opportunity to support farm families that the Government must grasp.
�The Budget is less than seven weeks away and our campaign continues across the country. We will be setting out our priorities in Virginia today to politicians in attendance. The key message is that farmers are faced with multiple threats to their viability,� he said.
The IFA President said a combination of excessive costs and squeezed margins requires additional targeted support in the October budget.
�The National Farm Survey released by Teagasc last month provides all the evidence that�s needed for the Government. No sector is immune from the vice grip of escalating costs; greater regulations; and price volatility; all of which are having an impact on farm income.�
�Farmers, across all sectors, need greater support to provide a shelter for families and farm operations,� he said.
The Farm Survey report for 2023 is a stark reminder of the fragility of farming as incomes took a huge hit last year, showing that average family farm income in 2023 was less than �20,000, the lowest level in more than a decade.
Farmers will now have to wait and see if the Taoiseach took note.
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