This article is from page 3 of the 2006-01-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
A MAJOR new survey of the attitudes and future intentions of farmers in County Clare has been launched this week by the Rural Resource Development (RRD). The survey, which will be conducted by Ennis-based company Broadmore Research, will see some 200 farming families in the county being interviewed over the next two months.
Last year heralded a host of dramatic changes to the way that farming is organised in Clare, and indeed in Ireland.
The arrival of the single farm payment, coupled with the fallout from last month’s World Trade Organisation talks, has altered the landscape of Irish farming and left many Clare farmers unsure of their future.
“We welcome the survey, we would welcome anything that might help farmers in Clare,” said the IFA County Chairperson, Seamus Murphy. “The first thing must be to assess where farmers are at after the single payment and WTO as well as all the nitrate regulations that are coming in this year.”
The results of the survey will be used to shape the types of support which will be offered to farmers in Clare over the next five years. While it is anticipated that large amounts of Clare farmers will be forced from the land in the coming year, Mr Murphy has called for farmers to be supported first and retrained for a career off the land second.
“While things may look very negative, it might not be as bad as it looks,” said Mr Murphy. “There will be some need for training but the most important thing is to reinforce the livelihood of farmers in its current position.”
Councillor Pat Hayes, Chairman of Clare County Development Board, has encouraged any farm families contacted to participate in the survey.
“This is an opportunity for farming families in County Clare to state their plans for the future and inform policy-makers of the services they require in the county,” said Councillor Hayes. “Make use of this chance and let us know your views.”
Interviewers will be contacting farming families over the next number of weeks and asking them to complete a questionnaire. The information will be held in strict confidence with no record of names being taken.