Longford Farming: 'Fertiliser scheme must not exclude small farmers' say ICSA
ICSA Rural Development chair Edmond Phelan said all farmers are struggling with soaring costs and all farmers should be able to avail of support.
The Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon must ensure that the new fertiliser support scheme does not discriminate against smaller-scale farmers', according to a leading farming body.
ICSA (Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association) Rural Development chair Edmond Phelan said all farmers are struggling with higher costs and all farmers should be able to access this support.
"We cannot have lower limits that mean a farmer using less fertiliser gets nothing,” he added.
Mr Phelan was speaking following a stakeholder meeting with Department officials recently to discuss the scheme design.
He stated, “ICSA is concerned about lower limits being set for the scheme which could leave many farmers unable to qualify. We need to be very careful about that.
"For example, if a minimum payment meant that a farmer had to spread around nine tonnes of fertiliser before they could receive anything, that would leave a lot of smaller farmers out.
"A farmer who spreads eight tonnes is still facing higher fertiliser prices and should be paid for the eight tonnes they have used.
"We also need to remember that many drystock farmers operate on lower-input systems and use less fertiliser, but they are still facing higher fertiliser costs.
"They should not be penalised for that.
"The scheme needs to be designed in a way that is fair to farmers across all sectors.”
Mr Phelan said Ireland has been allocated 'almost €15.4 million in EU funding for this support'.
He added, "Minister Heydon can add up to 200% in national funding, which could bring the total available to almost €46.2 million.
"We need the maximum funding available and we need to make sure it is spread fairly.
"This is not about one sector against another. Farmers across the country are under financial pressure and this support needs to reach all farmers who are dealing with higher fertiliser costs.”
Mr Phelan stated the details are still being worked out, so now is the time to get this right.
"We need a straightforward scheme that gives meaningful support to farmers and recognises the pressure they are under.
"There should be no situation where a farmer is left with nothing simply because their fertiliser use falls below a set limit.”