Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow Andrew Doyle has welcomed the launch last week by Minister Simon Coveney of the Land Mobility Service Annual Report 2014.
“This initiative, from Macra na Feirme, was set up in November 2013 on a pilot basis to determine if a specialised service would encourage collaborative farming and improve land mobility on foot of research which had identified a need for this type of dedicated support service.
“With 25% of farmers in Ireland over 65 and only 6% under the age of 35 and with approximately 50% of full time farmers over 50 with no identified farming successor, the relevance of such a service was apparent.
“This along with the changing nature and circumstances of Irish farming practices, and the growth potential of the agricultural sector;- in the context of Food Harvest 2020, justified the establishment of this service which is supported by FBD Trust and in conjunction with Macra na Feirme.
“The service which is expert and confidential works as a support for farmers and farm families who are evaluating their options whether looking at expansion, changing enterprise or stepping back.
“Interest has exceeded expectations in the first year with 232 clients so far, 53 arrangements and 54 seminars and workshops with the most interest in long term leading, contract rearing, partnerships and shared farming.
“While traditional methods of land transfer are still sometimes workable, there is a clear need for new and innovative agricultural endeavours in the area of land mobility and I believe this service which facilitates new types of arrangements will help young entrants as well as expanding farm operations and in turn help to develop our indigenous agricultural sector”.