Farmers are having to look for additional land in order to comply with new environmental regulations. Those are the words of the Chairman of Fine Gael's Agricultural and Rural Forum, Eddie Downey, who says there's no dialogue with farmers on the new rules.
Legislation around nitrate use per hectare of farming land aims to reduce and minimise negative impacts on water quality in the vicinity of farms. The former IFA president, says farmers are fearful of losing business because of the new rules.
"We are seeing at the moment that renting and leasing land on a yearly basis is gone to ridiculously high levels at the moment. That's because farmers are afraid; they haven't got a plan in front of them and there is no certainty in the system.
"So, rather than taking the risk of being put of business or having to reduce their stocking levels, they are chasing that land at the moment," Mr Downey added.
