Survey findings revealing that one in three farmers intend to leave the sector within the next five years are “absolutely damning”, according to Aontú TD for Mayo, Paul Lawless.

Deputy Lawless said: “Serious credit to the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) and Agriland for commissioning this survey.

“80% of farmers surveyed expect to see a reduction in their income this year, and one in three farmers said they are leaving farming within the next five years”. 

The TD was referring to a major new national survey published today (September 15) and conducted by leading Irish research agency Opinions, and commissioned by Agriland and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA).

Regulations

Deputy Lawless said that among the main issues reported by farmers was the heavy burden of regulation and paperwork, and the lack of predictable or reliable income each year.

He added: “The demise of small Irish farms is going to cause shock waves across the globe if immediate supports are not put in place.

He called on the government to support an Aontú bill seeks to set a floor below the price of beef, which he said will "make it illegal for the factories and supermarkets to pay a price for beef which is below the cost of production.”

The TD also called for a reform to the existing tax system.

He said: “Because a farmer’s income fluctuates each year, they are getting trapped in having to pay high taxes on last year’s profit and pay high taxes on this year’s predicted income which is based on last year.

“But if this year is a bad year and last year was a good year, they are paying an extortionate amount before the October 31 deadline, at a time when they are already at their wits' end economically.”

According to Deputy Lawless, while there are other tax calculation options available, Revenue has been known to “severely punish farmers who are even slightly off in their profit predictions”.

He added that this needs “urgent reform”.