Industrial development policy is now as important as national and EU agricultural policy in maintaining the viability of rural Ireland. This is the message from the recent farm income survey by Teagasc, according to Mr Michael Miley, president of the Agricultural Science Association (ASA).
The Teagasc survey published a week ago shows that 33 per cent of farmers now have an off-farm job, and there is now a direct link between agricultural and industrial development policy in maintaining the viability of rural areas. Counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon have the highest level of off-farm employment, with almost 50 per cent of farmers combining the farm with employment elsewhere.
The lowest level of off-farm employment is in the south-eastern counties, where over 80 per cent of farmers rely on agriculture as their sole source of income. Mr Miley noted that the most vulnerable rural areas tend to be in the traditionally strong farming counties of the midlands and south-east.
These counties are now emerging as the "new disadvantaged" locations with agricultural growth inhibited by the EU quotas of the 1980s. In addition, these areas have benefited least from the job creation boom of recent years.
The ASA is hosting a conference in Galway this Friday. Regional imbalance in job creation will be the major theme, although global issues will also be addressed. Mr Greg Frazier, the leading agricultural policy negotiator in the US during the Clinton administration, and Ms Joanna Hewitt, one of Australia's most senior trade negotiators, will lead an international debate on the forthcoming World Trade Organisation negotiations. The Irish and EU perspective will be given by the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Joe Walsh.
The conference in the Corrib Great Southern Hotel will hear an analysis from Prof Frances Ruane of Trinity College, Dublin, on the regional job creation record over the past decade, while Mr Sean Dorgan, chief executive of the IDA and Mr Feargal O'Morain, executive director of Enterprise Ireland, will outline new plans by the major State agencies to tackle this imbalance.
Peripherality and the west of Ireland will also be themes addressed at a separate conference in NUI, Galway, next Saturday. "From the Periphery of the Periphery - the role of Galway in regional and national development" is being hosted by the Department of Geography at NUI, Galway, in association with the Geographical Society of Ireland.
Geographers and those from other disciplines will examine the recent changes in and future prospects for Galway city and county, as well as the wider western region. Dr John McDonagh, conference convenor, will examine whether peripherality is a constraint or, perhaps, an asset.
For more information, contact Dr John McDonagh, at NUI Galway, tel: (091) 524411, extension 2569, or e-mail address: john.d.mcdonagh@nuigalway.ie