The party launched its manifesto on Monday, promising a number of supports for small-scale producers and young farmers.

One of these promises is that small-scale producers will be supported to develop niche markets through innovative use of protected geographical indications (PGIs).

PGIs work under a European system for the protection of the geographical names of certain foodstuffs which have a tangible link to the geographical area after which they are named. PGIs are specifically for agricultural products and foods linked to a geographical area where at least one production step has taken place.

Labour says this support will encourage “greater emphasis on quality and uniqueness in Irish produce”.

The party will also introduce a new graduate development programme for the food SME (small and medium enterprise) sector with an aim to “improve the financial and technical capability of this vital sector”. It will also continue its Food Academy Initiative, which provides assistance to grow startup food businesses around the country, and provide funding of €2m for regional food hub startups to “better connect producers to the buying public”.

Young people in rural Ireland

According to the manifesto, young farmers with an average net profit below €30,000 will benefit for the first time from inclusion in the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, which aims to tackle poverty, social exclusion and long-term unemployment. The programme does this through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies.

Labour is also promising to invest €10m in the development of regional skills forums which bring together employers and education providers to ensure that young people in rural Ireland receive the skills they need to get local employment.

These and other announcements on tax changes for the self-employed and extra supports for young and small farmers were also made in Labour’s rural economy plan, which was launched earlier in February.

A programme for continued recovery

Speaking at the launch of the general election manifesto on Monday, Tánaiste and leader of the Labour Party Joan Burton said: “Labour’s manifesto is a radical and responsible programme for continued recovery, for social recovery and reform. It is a plan not just for a strong economy but for a decent society. It’s comprehensive, it’s costed and it’s fair.”

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin added that this is “a social democratic manifesto for a social democratic party”.

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