Tangible support needed for farmers in the Budget - IFA

The Government must deliver for farmers in the upcoming Budget on October 10th, according to IFA President Tim Cullinan.   

He was speaking following the IFA’s pre-Budget lobbying session with members of the Oireachtas in Dublin yesterday.  “The event was part of IFA’s campaign to put the viability of farm families front and centre for politicians,” he said.

Mr Cullinan said, “Agriculture has exports of almost €19bn and is the main driver of the rural economy. Due to ongoing high input costs, lower market returns and ever-increasing regulations, especially in relation to environmental objectives, many farmers are seeing their margins eroded”.

“There are specific issues in the livestock, sheep and tillage sectors and the Government must step up to support those sectors,” he said.

IFA Rural Development Chair Michael Biggins said our beef and sheep sector must see proper supports. When all schemes are combined, there is a need for support of €300 for every suckler cow in the country and €30 for every ewe.

“A new cattle-rearing-and-finishing scheme must be announced in this Budget and all farmers wishing to participate in ACRES must be accommodated.

“The ambition of farmers on climate action has to be met by providing enough places in the environmental scheme.”

The IFA Farm Business Chair Rose Mary McDonagh said we must also see a change to the RZLT legislation whereby all genuinely farmed land is exempted from this tax.

“The 90% Agricultural relief and Consanguinity relief must be retained in this Budget and the Flat VAT Refund must be increased to reflect the increased input costs farmers have suffered in the last number of years.”