Average farm income in County Clare dropped by 13.7% in 2008 as input costs rose by the same figure. It is feared they will drop another 10% this year.Teagasc National Farm Survey head Liam Connolly told RTE News 'incomes could drop by over 10% again this year, that more farmers would have to reappraise their involvement in the business if things get much worse or if there are major cuts in EU subsidies ahead.'
Farmers earned approximately €17,000 and the average EU subsidy was €17,500. The worst affected by the decrease were tillage farmers who saw their incomes halved to €19,000. Specialist dairy farmers were down 10% to €45,700.
