David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 407: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if any research has been carried out by his Department or bodies under his aegis into the age profile of farmers; the findings of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22110/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Farm Structure Survey (Central Statistics Office 2007) showed that 51 percent of all farmers were aged 55 or more, while 26 percent were aged 45 or less. Specialist tillage farmers and dairy farmers tended to have a younger age profile with 46 and 39 percent respectively over the age of 55. As part of the 2020 Strategy we are currently developing, my Department has commissioned the Rural Economy Research Centre of Teagasc to develop estimates of future farm numbers in 2020. This research, which is still ongoing, includes an examination of the demographic profile of farmers.