Our land use policy, or lack of one, could be starting to bite, with tillage farmers in particular being exposed to increased competition from solar farms and house building.

Tommy Moyles highlights some of the issues that are currently affecting farmers leasing land both in the west and east.

The competition from outside agriculture is intensifying in the east of the country.

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This has meant that some farmers are moving further west in search of available land to rent or lease. In the west, extra monitoring from the Department of Agriculture on farming activity is affecting farm rentals.

While causing issues, it has to be welcome, with nobody arguing about the need for any support payments to be directed to active genuine farmers.