A TD who runs a suckler farm with her husband in Mullinavat has told the Dáil that her hopes of her sons wanting to stay in farming are "dwindling".

The Sinn Féin TD for Carlow-Kilkenny, Natasha Newsome Drennan, said that the fact the income of suckler farms is "dropping year after year while costs continue to rise" raises questions about the future that could lie ahead for her sons.

"I want to see our family farm passed on to the next generation," Deputy Newsome Drennan said.

But she warned with sucker farmers currently "getting the short end of the stick" her hopes for the future may not come to fruition.

The Sinn Féin TD for Carlow-Kilkenny told fellow TDs that she believes that Irish farming is now "standing at a crossroads" and that suckler farmers in particular are under threat from many different directions.

"The Mercosur free trade deal will see up to 99,000 tonnes of beef imported from the likes of Brazil and Argentina.

"How low will their income drop when this beef starts appearing on shelves across the EU?" she asked.

According to Deputy Newsome Drennan in her opinion Ireland is now "haemorrhaging farmers".

She told the Dáil that on average "1,400 farmers leave farming each year".

"One third of farmers are over 65. One of our biggest industries is teetering on a demographic cliff.

"Ireland needs to step up and become a driving force in delivering sustainable and secure farming," Deputy Newsome Drennan added.

She believes that Ireland should lead the way in "incentivising" young men and women to continue farming and working on family farms.

The Sinn Féin TD for Carlow-Kilkenny was among a number of TDs who highlighted the current challenges faced by sucker farmers during a Dáil debate on the Importance of Agrifood to the Irish Economy.

The Independent TD for Laois, Brian Stanley, also called for the suckler cow scheme to be protected.