The potential upside is that these farmers have what the EU now values very highly, but has paid very little for.
Responding to the outgoing Taoiseach's remarks, Deputy Carol Nolan said the remarks have “gone down like a lead balloon among farmers”.
In line with the hit to incomes shown in the Teagasc National Farm Survey earlier this year, dairy and tillage farms had the highest percentage loss in terms of economic viability.
There were record levels of both farm unviability and vulnerability in 2023.
Surely one of the first steps on this sustainability road is farmer margin.
Farmers expecting fodder deficits must act now to help avoid issues in spring, Joe Patton told an IFA meeting.
IFA president Francie Gorman highlights the excessive costs and tight margins farmers are facing and outlines the additional support that is required to protect farm families.
IFA president Francie Gorman stressed how just 28% of all farms were classed as viable in 2023.
We can talk all we like about environmental and social sustainability, but if economic sustainability isn’t possible, the others won’t work.