Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

Average family farm income on 38% of farms is classified as derived from full-time farming. This measurement is based on labour input. I have met different farming groups and other people in rural areas and discussed off-farm income options for farmers over recent months. At regional food fora there has been particular interest in small-scale food production from small-scale farmers and others who have not worked on the land for some time but have been involved in other economic activity. Farmers who do not have viable holdings are not confined to farming activities as they would have been in the past. There were no off-farm sources of employment then but, thankfully today, there are such opportunities in substantial numbers. Many primary producers, including small-scale farmers, are also involved in food enterprises. There are approximately 135,000 family farms in addition to 800 industrial units involved in the agrifood industry, which is particularly important. By definition, those enterprises are spread throughout the country.

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