Harmful regulations are devised ‘far from the farm gate’ say Tipperary IFA

Tipperary’s IFA chairmen have told councillors that farming regulations are being “devised far from the farm gate”.

North Tipperary chair Baden Powell and south Tipperary chair Pat Carroll addressed the full sitting of Tipperary County Council last week.

They said they want to work with policymakers but that the current measures are crippling their businesses.

And that business is big business in the Premier County. Farming is worth €2.6 billion to the Tipperary economy and makes up about 20% of employment in the county, according to Mr Carroll.

Tipperary is one of three counties that has over 10% farming-related employment alongside Cavan and Monaghan.

But the average age of a farmer in Tipperary is 59 years old and, according to the two chairmen, it is getting hard to encourage young people to work in the industry.

Mr Carrol said the reasons for these are varied. But one reason is that costs are so high.

“The cost of business in Tipperary is enormous,” said Mr Carroll

ENVIONMENTAL WOES

In addition, to rising costs, animal welfare and environmental measures are putting all the responsibility on farmers while giving them little control over improvement. The frequency of inspections, he said are “frightening” for older farmers in particular.

He said that farmers are not “climate change deniers” and have always “worked with the science of the day.” But they need to be consulted when measures are devised so that both industries can thrive together.

“There is no point in saving the environment if you leave agriculture broken,” said Mr Carroll. Mr Carroll also told councillors that nature and improving water quality is a priority for the IFAs members.

But, when they go for planning permission to do upgrades to their farms, they are met with serial objectors.

He said he knows of one farmer who tried to go organic and needed a shed. But his planning application was objected to by people “150 miles away.”

This is all against the backdrop of late payments. Farms need those payments because they cannot set the price of their produce and to ensure food stays at a reasonable price, they must be supported.

Delays in payments create cash flow issues farmers cannot offset.

Mr Carroll said the late payments from the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) scheme represented a “complete system breakdown”.

“They want us to save nature, but they fall off the first hurdle by not paying us,” said Mr Carroll.

Mr Carroll said recent dog attacks are having a huge impact on sheep farmers. He called for action to put a stop to dog attacks, which he described as an owner problem.

Mr Carroll also detailed issues faced by tillage farmers affected by the derogation and Europe-wide barley shortage.

However, this week, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue announced an exemption to the Crop Diversification element of GAEC 7 for 2024.

This is intended to ease some of the pressure on tillage farmers. Mr Carroll asked councillors to do what they can to support the industry.

“We are part of the economy, and we want to remain part of it,” said Mr Carroll

NORTH AND SOUTH

Mr Powell said that the situation in north Tipperary is as “frustrating” as it is south. He told the council that the industry is “top-heavy” with an ageing workforce, constant inspections and an overreliance on consultants.

The consultants, he said, are necessary to ensure that farmers remain compliant, will all of the new regulations. And while those consultants wanted the work initially, they have now become “sick of it.”

Farmers are still responsible for all of the work, said Mr Powell, while politicians, sometimes outside the country, continue to make unrealistic rules.

“We feel the political system is largely asleep and left to Europe,” said Mr Powell.

MOTIONS AND MORE

The presentation was widely praised by councillors present at the meeting.

Cllr Declan Burgess proposed a motion, which passed for the council to write to the central government on the importance of supporting the agricultural sector.

He said they needed to stop the “conveyor belt of regulations.”

Cllr John Fitzgerald said the presentation was “dignified and from the heart.” He formally seconded Cllr Burgess’s motion. Cllr

John Carroll said working with farmers meant “less form-filling and more engagement.”

Cllr Michéal Lowry said it was alarming to see the amount of money that could leave the county and that they needed to recognise that farming “kept Tipp going during the financial crisis”.

Cllr Jim Ryan proposed the council write to the Minister for Finance to ask that they reinstate VAT refunds for farmers.

Cllr Michael Fitzgerald seconded Cllr Ryan’s motion.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Ger Darcy thanked the two chairmen for their contributions.

“I want to compliment your professionalism,” said Cllr Darcy.