New figures show that the number of Donegal farmers seeking state support has increased by 16%.
According to Fine Gael, 1,254 farmers applied for income support in 2009, the figure for 1st Quarter of 2010 already stands at 1,334, the third highest in the country.
Figures from the IFA show the average farm income last year was €13,000 with 41% of farmers having an income of €6,500 per year.
Fine Gael’s Deputy Agriculture Spokesperson Andrew Doyle says farmers are now filling out social welfare forms instead of EU forms, and that means taxpayers are losing out in every respect:
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