FARMERS show a 2 per cent preference for the Fianna Fail/ PD coalition over the Government in findings of a weekend telephone poll of 500 farmers which has been published in the Irish Farmers' Journal. Fifty one per cent of farmers polled preferred FF/PD and 49 per cent the Rainbow Coalition. But 53 per cent were satisfied with the Government's performance compared to 47 per cent who were not. Sixty per cent were satisfied with the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton.
The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Yates, had a 56 per cent satisfaction rating but, when asked, farmers agreed with the statement that the appointment of Joe Walsh, of Fianna Fail, would be good for farmers. Nearly three quarters were not satisfied to have Democratic Left in government. The overall figure was 71 per cent and this rose to 76 among dairy farmers.
Sixty per cent would vote strategically to elect one or other coalition and 55 per cent said the appointment of Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach would be good for farmers.