16% increase in Donegal farmers on social welfare

New figures show that the number of Donegal farmers seeking state support has increased by 16%.
According to Fine Gael, 1254 farmers applied for income support in 2009, the figure for 1st Quarter of 2010 already stands at 1334, the third highest rate in the country.
Figures from the IDA show that the average farm income last year was 13,000 euro with 41% of farmers having an income of 6,500 euro per year.
Fine Gale’s Agriculture spokesperson Deputy Andrew Doyle says farmers are now filling out social welfare forms instead of EU forms: