Local suckler farmers are one of the keys to Ireland tackling food security issues resulting from the war in Ukraine.
That's according to Midlands North West MEP Luke 'Ming' Flanagan who says the conflict has torn away the fallacy of Ireland's food self-sufficiency.
Supplies of fertilizer from Russia and animal feed from Ukraine are just two areas of concern for farmers and the agri-tech industry.
The Roscommon MEP says Ireland's intensive beef and dairy sector cannot be supported without imports.
Speaking to Shannonside FM today, MEP Flanagan says local suckler farmers the key example of sustainability methods needed to shore up Ireland's food security issues.
However, he says such farmers in Longford, Roscommon and Leitrim are being forced out of the industry:
