May / June
2007 May / June
The forthcoming general election allows us a rare opportunity to tell our political masters what we think of them and by all accounts this one should throw up a few surprises.
Increasingly, voters are demanding answers and accountability from politicians but election promises may not always translate into real action as we are all too aware.
Farming is at a low ebb generally and organic farming is not developing in Ireland in line with other European countries despite rising demand for produce. The number of full time farmers is declining steadily and the bulk of our agricultural population now rely on off-farm income to survive. Food producers, the most indispensable cohort of the workforce, have been relegated to a secondary role in society and faceless multinationals control what we eat. If this sounds all too depressing you can stop reading now or resolve to elect politicians with the ability to represent us honestly and respond to public needs. Next time a political aspirant knocks on your door looking for your vote ask a few hard questions.
In this issue we have outlined some of IOFGA’s most urgent objectives to develop organic farming. We also look at the published policies of the main political parties (or lack of them in some cases) and leave it to you to decide which best fit with your priorities.
As an antidote to doom and gloom, summer arrived with a vengeance during April and some of our columnists reflect the power of nature to uplift even the heaviest of agricultural hearts. As Jimmy Lyons points out, farming does have its moments of supreme contentment.
