Ireland-Farmers seek help over English pound.

IRELAND.

FARMERS SEEKING TAX PAYERS HELP.

There has been persistent rumors and leaks to the English press, that farmers in Ireland are looking for a tax payer lift, to make up for the loss in the value of the pound sterling.

The proposal put together by the Irish Farmers Association and the Irish Meat Exporters, suggest that their is one billion euros at stake and as many as 4,400 jobs, if help is not found.

IFA president Padraig Walsh, said that the current exchange rate was hitting beef and dairy exports and the exports of mushrooms.

In essence on the exchange rate in 2007, the Irish exporter would receive 6850 euros for every 5,000 euros in value he sold against the pound sterling. However today he only receives 5,500 euros for, his 5,000 euros exported.

The proposed scheme would have the government set a firm rate of exchange for exports, in the same manner as when the British farmers received government grants from the EU, on a pre-determined rate.

This is a long and complicated matter, and the proposals will need to be considered very carefully, according a government official off the record on Monday night.

Argentina and Brazil as well as Australia and New Zealand, just have to tough out these hard times.