This government will discover too late that young people will not choose farming as a career, in light of the excessive red tape and restrictions being imposed on them, both nationally and at European level. That’s the strong view of Westport based Independent councillor Johno O’Malley.

The councillor says beef farmers now have to be in Bord Bia – adding more paperwork for no real purpose, in his opinion. In addition the grant has been abolished for the dribble bar slurry tanker – yet this he insists is the safest method of spreading slurry on hilly land, prevalent in this region.

This is all happening, the councillor says, as farmers are being double taxed on silage wrap and EU payments due in September, are to be delayed by between 4-6 weeks this year.

Councillor O’Malley has been speaking to Midwest News Editor Teresa O’Malley about his frustration with the wave of cuts and restriction being imposed on farmers…