Farmers say the government is heading down the wrong alley if it cuts spending on agriculture in October's budget.

The Irish Farmers Association has published its pre-budget submission - in which they urge the government to take the new EU Rural Development Funding into account when making decisions.

Under the scheme, around €290 million is available to Ireland every year until 2020 - and the IFA wants to make sure all of it is delivered to the farming sector.

President of the IFA John Bryan says agricultural exports is one of the few sectors performing well in Ireland - and needs to be left untouched in order to fuel the recovery:

Earlier, the Agriculture minister said he would do his best to defend the farmer's concerns at cabinet and said the industry is right to make their feelings known.