'It’s important to have your say' - rural development survey
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has encouraged farmers to contribute to an online survey, launched by the Department of Rural and Community Development, as part of the next phase of Ireland’s rural development policy, titled 'Our Rural Future'.
The survey, which is due to close on Wednesday, April 2, marks the first step in an extensive public and stakeholder consultation process that is set to continue throughout 2025.
According to the IFA, the survey provides a chance for farmers to influence policy that will have a direct impact on their livelihoods.
IFA national rural development chair, John Curran, commented: “It’s fairly comprehensive and asks about the opportunities and challenges facing rural Ireland, as well as what actions the government should consider to secure a more resilient future for rural communities.
“It’s a chance, as farmers and rural dwellers, to have our say and shape future policy more toward our liking.
“The timing mightn’t be great with lambing and calving in full swing, but we shouldn’t leave the opportunity behind us. It’s too important – it’s our livelihoods; our homes, towns and parishes at the end of the day."
The IFA has published a support document to be accessed by farmers when undertaking the survey, providing context to the questions asked in addition to sample answers. All answers will remain anonymous, the IFA assured.
The survey findings will inform a series of stakeholder events on issues of importance for rural Ireland, according to the department.
“Key local amenities and services are being depleted all the time, while for farmers, whether relating to ongoing trade wars, CAP [Common Agricultural Policy] or climate targets, the operational and financial challenges are mounting all the time, all of which makes it harder and harder to attract and retain the next generation or new entrants into farming or rural areas.
“To support increased farmer participation, IFA [has] developed a support document which is available on our website for use and reference as required. I’d encourage as many farmers as possible to use this, and complete the survey.
"You don’t need to answer all the questions - the agri-specific ones are toward the back end, but it’s important to have your say,” Curran concluded.
