Ireland’s first independent agricultural crime survey is being carried out in conjunction with Business and Humanities lecturers at WIT and the ICSA

The Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) has launched the first independent national agriculture crime survey to be carried out in Ireland. The agriculture crime study will be carried out in conjunction with Dr Kathleen Moore Walsh, Law and Criminology lecturer, School of Humanities and Louise Walsh Accounting and Economics lecturer, School of Business at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT).

Speaking at the launch, ICSA rural development Chairman Seamus Sherlock said “The survey will be the first to look at the full implications of agriculture crime in Ireland. It will focus on losses in all areas of farm life as well as income and tax implications for victims. We know that not all agriculture crimes are reported, this much needed study will provide valuable insights into the true nature, extent and implications of all agricultural crime.”

Continuing, he said: “The survey will gather data on the type and level of agriculture crime nationally and the costs of crime to a farm business. This information will ultimately help farmers, farming interest groups and law makers to make informed decisions regarding strategies to address this growing problem.”

ICSA invites and actively encourages all farmers to take part in this survey to ensure that the findings accurately reflect the full picture of agriculture crimes nationwide. The survey is available to complete online on the ICSA website www.icsaireland.com where responses are completely anonymous.

This is a good opportunity for farmers, and people in rural areas to contribute actively towards the tackling of a  problem which effects many rural communities nationwide. The information gathered in this survey could lead to the implementation of actions to battle agricultural crime.