There is “a looming crisis in Irish agriculture”, Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy has warned.

The Sinn Féin TD for Cavan/Monaghan made the comments following today's release of a survey from Agriland and the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) on the future of farming.

Deputy Carthy said on social media: “Today (September 15) an Agriland/ICMSA survey shows that one in three Irish farmers plan on exiting the sector in the next five years.

“Ireland's family farm model is under threat - this must be a wake-up call.

"Without farmers, we have no food (at least not good food)".

Deputy Carthy called for action from the government to assist the farming community

“No more platitudes from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael or the so-called rural independents. 

“It's time to deliver a fair CAP (Common Agricultural Policy), fair prices and fair play for Ireland's farming families," he said.

Survey

The survey, conducted by leading Irish research agency Opinions, and commissioned by Agriland and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA), was one of the most comprehensive surveys ever carried out of Irish farmers

Around 2,300 respondents across all sectors, of all ages and right across the state, took part.

Commenting on the survey findings, Agriland editor Stella Meehan said: "This survey is one of the most enlightening pieces of research to have been conducted into the farming economy in a long time.

"Of the 33% of farmers who indicated that they plan to exit farming over the next five years, half of them (50%) do not even have a successor identified.

"60% of farmers are fearful of even bringing up the discussion on succession."

Aontú TD Paul Lawless also commented on the survey today.

The Mayo TD said: “I’ve warned time and time again in the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee that we were going to see a mass exodus of farmers from the sector, if the sector was not made viable.”