Farming and Rural Communities | Feirmeoireacht agus Pobail Tuaithe:
There are over 160,000 farms in Ireland North and South. That figure has been falling continuously over the last number of generations. This is happening in large part due to the economic difficulties involved in farming. Like most sectors of the Irish economy, statistical data on Ireland as a whole is in short supply. There is a hard border when it comes to joined up information. This is a major challenge in the economic management of Ireland. It is Aontú’s view that this information gap needs to be fixed. Farming is a key sector of Irish society. It is key to our food security. It is the backbone of our rural communities, and it generates significant economic activity and employment.
Aontú seek:
- An increase of farmer incomes to end the exodus of young farmers and the need for many farmers a ‘double-job’ to supplement their income from the farm.
- A minimum price ensured for the produce of Beef farmers that covers the cost of production.
- To rebalance the product supply chains right through the agricultural sector to ensure that the profits earned are distributed fairly among farmers.
- To improve rural Broadband.
- To increase the microgeneration of electricity on farmers.
- An all-Ireland import ban on sub-standard Brazilian and South American beef and agri-produce which would dilute food quality and undercut farmer income – just to sell more German cars.
