Northern Ireland farm incomes up
31 January 2001
Northern Ireland farm incomes up
By FWi staff
FARM incomes in Northern Ireland have finally stabilised after five years of dramatic decline, according to latest statistics.
Incomes on the Provinces farms actually increased by 3% in 2000, after plummeting by 79% over the past five years, updated government data show.
Ulster Farmers Union president Douglas Rowe said: “We are now pointing in the right direction, but a lot of damage has been done to our industry.
“The Government must underpin this modest recovery by claiming agrimonetary funding from Europe”.
The UFU revealed that farmers were spending over 100 million less each year on their businesses as the income squeeze continues.
Mr Rowe said: “When farmers stop spending money, everyone in the countryside suffers.
“The road to recovery will be a long one and everyone in the industry will have a key role to play”.