Ireland's largest farm organisation has described as “totally inadequate” the Government’s agriculture allocation in its Framework document announced today.
The Irish Farmers Assocaition President, John Bryan, said the funding of €168 million per annum would be insufficient to achieve the growth targets set out in the Food Harvest 2020 report.
He added the funding allocation in 2012 was 37 per cent lower than the 2011 allocation and it believed a capital programme of €200 million was needed in that year.
"Farming is a capital intensive industry and Government investment is critical to build on the recent growth in the sector, and to maximise the agri-food sector's contribution to economic recovery," he said.
"The proposed capital funding for the next five years, which represents an increase on the previous Government's proposals, is recognition of the potential of the sector. However, more is needed," he concluded.