THE AGE PROFILE of Irish farmers is affecting the productivity of the industry in this country, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) has warned.

The ICSA’s vice-president has expressed concern about the growing “age imbalance” in the Irish farming industry with just seven per cent of Irish farmers under the age of 35 and over a quarter of farmers in the country over the age of 70.

Edmond Phelan has called on the government to do more to reach ambitious targets set out in the Food Harvest 2020 report which includes growing Irish agri-food exports in worth from €8 billion to €13 billion by 2020.

“This can only be achieved with an able and committed workforce,” Phelan said.

Unless measures are taken to open doors for younger, more vibrant farmers to own land and run successful businesses then by 2020 we will a very aged population of farmers who will not have achieved the targets for expansion.

Phelan expressed concern about the possibility that capital acquisitions taxes will be increased in the forthcoming Budget which could potentially “significantly stunt the growth of the only sector leading the way in the Irish economy.”

Phelan warned:

If a young farmer, now without the prospect of an Installation Aid grant, is faced with a tax bill for tens of thousands of euro for transferring the family farm into their name it will simply deter him or her from even looking into the prospect of taking over the running of the farm.

The Department of Agriculture could not be reached for comment at the time of publication but the government has consistently said that no decisions have been made in relation to the Budget which will be delivered on 6 December.

The cabinet met yesterday to discuss what measures will be taken in order to take €3.8 billion out of the economy.