Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Page 108 in the programme for Government deals with agriculture and the aims of the Food Wise programme for the period 2020 to 2025, which are to increase the value of exports by 85% to €19 billion, increase value-added product by 70% to €13 billion, increase the value of primary production by 65% to €10 billion and support the creation of 23,000 jobs in the agrifood sector. In 2015, a young farmer scheme was introduced with funding of €25 million. Based on that, there are thousands of young farmers who have rented land at a very expensive cost who are tied in for six-year leases. In 2016, there was no funding and we have €5 million in 2017. That is an 80% decrease in support for farmers.

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