Ireland: Intervention needed to prevent ‘mass exodus’ of Donegal potato farmers

Urgent intervention is needed in the farming sector to prevent a ‘mass exodus’ of potato farmers, that’s according to Donegal’s IFA Potato Chairman, Donald Logue. Speaking on Highland Radio‘s Nine ’til Noon Show yesterday, he said while the cost of production continues to rise, this is not reflected in the marketed prices of potatoes and called for Government to take action.

Mr Logue noted the rising cost of electricity, fertiliser and diesel as well as the higher cost involved in potato storage. He said inflation went up between 16 and sometimes event 20 percent in recent times, while potato prices have gone up only one to 1.4%.

“The potato grower needs a fair price for his product,” Donald Logue said.

Source: Highland Radio. Listen to an audio clip here
Photo: Wikimedia Commons. Andrian S Pye