Fine Gael Agriculture Spokesperson, Denis Naughten TD, has said that his party will support the development of farm to farm trading, which would reduce the spiralling import costs for many farmers. Speaking over the weekend, Deputy Naughten said financial support must be provided for grain handling, drying and storage facilities for farmers, to encourage farm to farm trading. With agricultural inflation running at 6% and farm input cost rising at 5% per annum, steps must be taken to encourage inter-farm trading. Since 2002, this Government has introduced or increased 42 separate stealth taxes which has a direct impact on the survival of many family farms. ‘It is now time for a Government that will start to cut import costs, and promoting farm to farm trading is one way to achieve this target. We will also support a trading mechanism which will facilitate trading between farmers, one which cuts the margins charged by those not directly involved in farming.’
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