WATCH: Tipperary farmers want next government to get best deal for them in CAP talks

South Tipperary’s farmers have a shopping list of election issues they want the next Government to address from fighting their corner in Brussels in the renegotiation of CAP and retention of the Nitrates Derogation to reform of environmental schemes.

Irish Farmers Association South Tipperary branch Chairman Pat Carroll said farmers in south Tipperary want the next Government to listen to the views of farmers and take on board the issues that are affecting them.

The New Inn farmer criticised the outgoing Government for its lack of engagement and consultation with farmers particularly in relation to the ACRES environmental scheme and Straw Incorporation Measure.

CAP Negotiations
Mr Carroll said the next Government will be part of the negotiations for the new Common Agricultural Policy for 2027 to 2034.
The IFA wants the Government to represent their members’ interests strongly at the negotiating table to hammer out a fairer CAP for Irish farmers.

The IFA is advocating that CAP funding must remain a stand alone allocation within the EU budget, separate from environmental measures funding, and that it be substantially increased to support farmers, food production and food security.
“CAP was used to subsidise food production and as it currently stands the cost of food production has increased by almost 75% in the last six years.

“The cost returns to farmers have reduced by 34% while CAP has been reduced as well so there is a hit coming from both sides,” Mr Carroll explained.

The IFA also wants the next Government to press for a separate EU environment fund, in addition to the CAP, to support environment action on farms, including any actions that may arise from the EU Nature Restoration Plan.

The Association wants the fund to include supports for farmers with designated land and any actions that arise from the Nature Restoration Plan.

Nitrates Derogation
Mr Carroll highlighted retention of the Nitrates Derogation long term as another key issue the next Government must fight for at EU level.

He points out that since 2020 over 30 measures have been brought in to improve nitrates and water quality and these need to be given time to work. Some of the measures will take a number of years to make an impact.

He argues the new Government needs to up its game in tackling the water quality problems caused by poor waste water infrastructure as municipal waste entering water ways was a big issue.

Mercosur Trade Agreement

And Mr Carroll says the new government must strongly oppose the proposed Mercosur trade agreement at that governs the importation of cheap beef produced at much lower food quality and environmental standards from predominantly South American counties into the EU.

“It’s about having a level playing field, fairness and fair trade. You can’t have extra high standards for food production in Ireland and turn around and import produce that is completely untraceable.”

Environmental Schemes Reform

At a national level, Mr Carroll said the ACRES environmental scheme just doesn’t work and needs to be scraped and replaced with a new meaningful scheme that provides farmers with a payment of up to €15,000.

Afforestation Scheme

He pointed out farmers have also “lost faith” in the Afforestation Scheme that has failed to meet its target of planting 8,000 hectares of new forestry a year due to bureaucracy and licensing issues.

Last year just 1,600 hectares of trees were planted.

Over Regulation

Earlier this year Mr Carroll led the IFA’s Enough is Enough campaign in south Tipperary highlighting farmers’ frustration and anger at the over regulation of their sector and the stress the mountain of paper work, extra inspections and red tape is causing farmers.

He and fellow IFA activists are telling election candidates that farmers are being regulated out of business and the constant escalation of regulation is turning away potential farm successors and new entrants.
They are appealing for no further increase in regulations.

High Costs

Mr Carroll says the high cost of doing business due to higher energy, fuel, insurance, feed and fertiliser costs is another big issue for south Tipperary farmers that they want the next Government to address.

He points out that average costs have risen 86% for dairy farmers, 37% for sheep farmers and 106% for tillage farmers but farm incomes have fallen 34%.

Supports For Vulnerable Sectors
The IFA is also pushing for extra support for vulnerable sectors of farming that are struggling to survive with farm incomes at historically low levels in many cases.

The organisation has warned they face being wiped out if extra support isn’t provided.

Residential Zoned Land Tax
Also on the IFA’s shopping list of election issues is the Residential Zoned Land Tax. Mr Carroll said the exemption provided in Budget 2025 for farmers actively farming residential zoned land is only a temporary measure but there needs to be a permanent exclusion of actively farmed land from this tax.

Serial Objectors

A solution to the problem of serial objectors to planning applications for farm developments, the need to increase the number of gardaí policing rural areas, and easing planning restrictions on rural housing are among the other election issues concerning farmers and rural dwellers that Mr Carroll cites.

Use your vote

Issues aside, Mr Carroll urged farmers to go out and vote on polling day as it’s the most important way to let their voice be heard in the corridors of power.