Our RED C poll this week shows the extent of farmer support for Fine Gael. RED C interviewed a randomly selected and representative sample of 1,000 adults aged 18+ living on farms, by telephone between 9 and 15 February 2016. Quotas were set and data weighted by farm size and region, based on the latest CSO data to ensure the final sample is representative of the farming community across Ireland. The margin of error on the results is + or - 3%.

Simon Coveney’s performance as Minister for Agriculture was viewed as good to very good by 47% of those surveyed. However, the mood was different among the 400 farmers who attended the Midlands and Western Charolais meeting in Carrick-on-Shannon on Friday. There is no doubt that lack of action on removing barriers preventing the development of the live export trade to Britain and the complications around the BDGP have angered many suckler farmers.

Live streamed debate

We will be challenging the minister on these and many more issues during our live debate tonight (Thursday) which can be viewed at farmersjournal.ie. Also taking part in the debate will be Martin Ferris of Sinn Fein, Michael McNamara of the Labour Party and Éamon Ó Cuív of Fianna Fail.