Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:233 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps he is taking to reverse the decline in farm incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21493/04]
View answerWednesday, 29 September 2004
Questions (52)
Written answers
To underpin the financial stability of the sector, my Department operates a range of measures including market supports and direct payments aimed at supporting farm incomes. In 1990 direct payments accounted for 23% of aggregate farm income; since the CAP reform in 1992, direct payments to farmers have risen, and by the late 1990s they accounted for 50% of aggregate farm income. In 2003 direct payments of €1.6 billion contributed almost 75% of aggregate farm income. I have vigorously pursued the goal of supporting farm incomes by maximising the level of direct payments to farmers, ensuring that the EU Commission utilises all available management tools to support the markets and by providing the best possible development framework for the sector.
Last year there was an improvement in farm incomes with aggregate farm income as calculated by the Central Statistics Office rising by 2.6% to €2,174.8 million. Average family farm income in 2003 was estimated to be €15,054 by the National Farm Survey; although this varies significantly depending on the size and enterprise mix on farms and whether the farms are full-time or part-time. Full-time farms, defined in terms of labour requirements, had an average farm income €29,000 an increase of 4.6%.