FARM incomes are expected to drop by 10 per cent this year, primarily as a result of the BSE crisis. A powerful beef promotion campaign at European Union level is needed to rebuild beef consumption, according to the Irish Farmers' Association and Fianna Fail.
The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, and the IFA president, Mr John Donnelly, yesterday agreed a beef promotion campaign and a comprehensive quality assurance programme were necessary to restore public confidence.
They also said further EU compensation would be required to compensate livestock farmers for income losses due to the BSE crisis.