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Policy and Economic Change in the Agri-Food Sector in Ireland

Author

Listed:
  • Cathal O'Donoghue

    (Teagasc Rural Economy and Development Programme, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland)

  • Thia Hennessy

    (Teagasc Rural Economy and Development Programme, Athenry, Co. Galway, ireland)

Abstract

In the agri-food sector, recent policy reforms such as the milk quota abolition and CAP reform as well as robust export growth have increased the sector’s visibility in public debate. In this paper we assess the economic characteristics of the sector and consider prospects for expansion. We also assess challenges to expansion, including land access, elderly age profile, the uptake of technologies, the financial strength of this sector, increasing price volatility and environmental constraints. The paper also highlights income challenges in terms of low viability rates that affect particularly the drystock sectors and the severe impact that the economic downturn has had on off-farm income. Also as the sector is highly influenced by policy, both in terms of regulation and in terms of impact of agricultural subsidies on total income levels, we consider the impact of recent CAP reforms.

Suggested Citation

  • Cathal O'Donoghue & Thia Hennessy, 2015. "Policy and Economic Change in the Agri-Food Sector in Ireland," The Economic and Social Review, Economic and Social Studies, vol. 46(2), pages 315-337.
    • Handle: RePEc:eso:journl:v:46:y:2015:i:2:p:315-337
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Edward Knapp & Jason Loughrey, 2017. "The single farm payment and income risk in Irish farms 2005–2013," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 5(1), pages 1-15, December.
    3. O’Donoghue, Cathal & Clavin, Dan & Ryan, Mary & Heery, Declan & Leavy, Elaine, 2018. "Policy Incentives and the Organic Value Chain in Ireland," International Journal on Food System Dynamics, International Center for Management, Communication, and Research, vol. 9(1), January.
    4. O’Donoghue, Cathal & Clavin, Dan & Ryan, Mary & Heery, Declan & Leavy, Elaine, 2018. "Policy Incentives and the Organic Value Chain in Ireland," International Journal on Food System Dynamics, International Center for Management, Communication, and Research, vol. 9(1), January.
    5. O’Donoghue, Cathal & Ryan, Mary & Clavin, Dan & Heery, Declan & Leavy, Elaine, 2017. "Policy Incentives and the Organic Value Chain in Ireland," 2018 International European Forum (163rd EAAE Seminar), February 5-9, 2018, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria 276901, International European Forum on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks.
    6. Artur Wilczyński & Ewa Kołoszycz, 2021. "Economic Resilience of EU Dairy Farms: An Evaluation of Economic Viability," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-14, May.
    7. Tsakiridis, Andreas & O’Donoghue, Cathal & Hynes, Stephen & Kilcline, Kevin, 2020. "A Comparison of Environmental and Economic Sustainability across Seafood and Livestock Product Value Chains," Working Papers 309507, National University of Ireland, Galway, Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit.
    8. Laura Anne Devaney & Maeve Henchion, 2017. "If Opportunity Doesn’t Knock, Build a Door: Reflecting on a Bioeconomy Policy Agenda for Ireland," The Economic and Social Review, Economic and Social Studies, vol. 48(2), pages 207-229.
    9. Anthony Cawley & Cathal O’Donoghue & Kevin Heanue & Rachel Hilliard & Maura Sheehan, 2018. "The Impact of Extension Services on Farm‐level Income: An Instrumental Variable Approach to Combat Endogeneity Concerns," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 40(4), pages 585-612, December.
    10. Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman & Jeffry D. Connor, 2022. "Impact of Agricultural Extension Services on Fertilizer Use and Farmers’ Welfare: Evidence from Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-16, July.

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