SINN Féin senator Joanne Collins deemed the agri-food sector as Ireland’s largest and most important indigenous industry.
“It underpins not just our economic prosperity but the very fabric of rural Ireland, from our small villages to our market towns, keeping communities alive, businesses viable, and traditions strong.
However, not all sectors are experiencing the benefits equally.
Suckler and sheep farmers are seeing their incomes diminish while dairy and tillage sectors enjoy strong profits. This is not a new observation but it’s a challenge we must confront if we want rural Ireland to survive and flourish,” she said.
Challenging the government on Mercosur, Collins stated: “We must also be honest about the future we want for Ireland’s agricultural industry in a changing world.”
