Some 91% of Irish farmers believe that public perception of farming is a challenge that needs to be addressed, and 61% strongly agree, according to one of the most comprehensive surveys of Irish farmers ever carried out. Around 2,300 farmers across all sectors, ages and regions responded to the survey, conducted by Irish research agency Opinions and commissioned by Agriland and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA).

The sense of being misunderstood runs through the results. 94% said the public does not understand modern farming and the challenges farmers face (70% strongly agreeing); 93% said consumers do not sufficiently understand how food is produced (65% strongly). The same share, 93%, agreed that policy-making in government departments is "overly influenced" by non-governmental organisations and civil society groups, with 66% strongly of that view.

On the environment, 88% believe the public primarily blames farmers for Ireland's environmental challenges, 53% strongly. And 60% said the public does not understand the reasons behind high food prices, with 31% strongly disagreeing that it does.

Dairy farmers are the gloomiest. Of the 70% who strongly agree that the public does not understand modern farming, 76% of dairy respondents fell into that group, the highest of any sector; 58% of dairy farmers strongly agree that the public blames farmers for environmental problems, against 53% overall; and 70% of dairy farmers strongly agree that policy is too heavily influenced by NGOs. Among tillage farmers, 70% strongly agree that consumers do not sufficiently understand how food is produced.

The findings were published as the National Ploughing Championships opened, and the gap they describe between farmers and the public is one that farm organisations and the government say they must close if the sector is to attract the next generation. Charles O'Donnell reported the results for Agriland.

Source: Agriland