Discussing the launch of Irish Farmers Association’s pre-Budget submission, County Chair, Jim O’Connor, said Roscommon IFA would be lobbying TDs and Senators from the county in the coming weeks to ensure they understand the scale of the challenges farmers face and the supports needed from Government.
“Now is the time for Government to step up and put action and money behind the rhetoric. IFA is seeking co-financing to ensure that Pillar II schemes such as Areas of Natural Constraint (ANCs); Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environmental Scheme (GLAS); Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS); Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP – suckler cows); the Sheep Welfare Scheme and Organic Farming Scheme; are properly funded. We are seeking €300 per suckler cow, €30 per ewe and €300 million for ANCs.
“In addition, we need a new scheme for tillage farmers to stop the exodus from this sector,” Mr. O’Connor said.
“The Government gave a clear commitment that it would ring-fence €1.5 billion of carbon tax receipts for an agri-environment scheme, referred to in the Programme for Government as ‘REPS-2’. We are still waiting for this commitment to be honoured”.
IFA Farm Business Committee Chair Rose Mary McDonagh added: “In June, IFA held a nationwide Day of Action to highlight farming’s contribution to the rural economy. Our message to Government has not changed. The sustainable growth of our sector needs policies that encourage investment at farm level, and recognise the role of agriculture in achieving balanced regional development and viable farm incomes”.
