Speaking at the launch of the new survey, ICSA rural development chairman Seamus Sherlock said the new initiative would provide insight into agricultural crime and help address the growing problem.

The information will help farmers, farming interest groups and law makers to make informed decisions

“It will focus on losses in all areas of farm life as well as income and tax implications for victims,” he said. “The information will help farmers, farming interest groups and law makers to make informed decisions regarding strategies to address this growing problem.”

The ICSA is now urging all farmers to take part in the online survey in order to fully understand the “full picture of agriculture crimes nationwide”.

Responses are anonymous and the survey can be found on the association’s website.

Crime on the rise

Figures for agricultural-related crime have been increasing steadily in recent years; the Central Statistics Office said in 2015 that over 420 farm crimes take place each month, with the theft of farm machinery or equipment being the most common.