The Government and the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) are at serious odds over the level of farm incomes as farmers prepare for nationwide protests next week.
The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Joe Walsh, estimates average farmers' income at €45,000; the IFA president, Mr John Dillon, puts the figure at just €15,000.
Defending Government policy on RTÉ radio this morning, Mr Walsh said he did not believe farmers were "rolling it" but that "the figures are that the average income for farmers is about €45,000".
Farmers are planning a the first of a series of nationwide protests next week that will culminate in a convoy of tractors descending on Dublin, with farmers protesting outside the Department of Agriculture on Kildare Street.
Farmers claim their livelihoods are under threat from low market prices and the loss of €200 million worth of Government subsidies.
Announcing the protest yesterday, Mr Dillon said: "In the past ten years over 20,000 farmers have been forced to get a job off the farm in order to provide a viable livelihood for their families".
He said Mr Walsh wanted farmers to work the land on a part-time basis and while working outside the industry. He said the IFA is "being mobilised in a determined stand on each and every issue" to protect incomes and the rural way of life.
But Mr Walsh today rejected the claim that €200,000 had been cut in the last book of estimates and said the Government had consistently aided farmers and was providing supports of €2.8 billion.
Mr Walsh acknowledged it had been a difficult year for farmers but said it had a difficult year for the all workers. He urged the IFA to negotiate rather than protest and said he was willing to meet them.