Strategy chosen to meet strengths and weaknesses

Axis 2 (Environment)

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  Ireland’s excellent rural landscape contributes to its clean, green image.
  
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  There is an increasing recognition of the multifunctional role of agriculture.
  
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  A high level of participation and success in the agri-environmental schemes benefits both farmers and society in general through the preservation of the environment, improved water quality and the protection of biodiversity.
  
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  A decrease in livestock numbers and the consequential fall in fertiliser usage arising from full decoupling will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the sector.
  
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  Ireland’s disease free-status gives it a competitive advantage in high-value European markets.
  
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  There are high compliance levels with EU traceability, labelling, animal health and welfare and hygiene standards.
  

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  The potential exists for alternative land uses such as forestry.
  
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  The countryside is a source of considerable natural resources and biodiversity.
  

Axis 1 (Competitiveness)

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  Certain areas/sectors of Irish farming suffer from low productivity due to their age structure and low education levels.
  
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  High agricultural land prices can result in entry barriers to younger/new participants.
  
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  In turn high land prices may impact negatively on land mobility, preventing farmers from achieving economies of scale and impacting negatively on their commercial viability.
  
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  Ireland needs to maintain and improve its relative competitiveness to ensure that each sector maintains its export markets.
  

Axis 2 (Environment)

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  Although the problem is low by European standards there is always the threat of pollution damage from agriculture and pesticides.
  
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  Post-decoupling the possibility of land abandonment exists in certain rural areas.
  

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  Relatively speaking there is a declining importance of agriculture in rural communities.
  
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  Land has been lost to urbanisation and infrastructure.
  
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  Agriculture accounts for a high proportion of greenhouse gas emissions
  

Axes 3 and 4 (Quality of life/diversification)

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  The level of ICT uptake and broadband usage by rural communities is low. While the National Broadband Scheme will result in broadband access for most homes and enterprises in Ireland by 2010, there will remain 12,000 rural premises that will not have access to broadband
  
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  Out-migration from remoter rural areas to large towns and cities results in rural isolation.
  
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  There is an over-reliance on more traditional employment sectors.