Fianna Fáil/PD proposals an ‘insult’ to farmers — Yates

THE gloves were off this week 20 years ago as the political par ties cranked up their campaigns for the June 1997 General Election.

First into the agriculture policy ring was the Fianna Fáil/PD opposition alliance hoping to unseat the ‘Rainbow’ Coalition led by Fine Gael.

The opposition par ties hoped to win the farming vote with a plan for a more equitable distribution of direct farm payments.

PD agriculture spokesman John Dardis said the system needed to be changed in the interests of smaller farmers.

“The current situation where one farmer gets £4,000 a year and another gets £4,000 a week in direct payments needs to be changed,” said Mr Dardis.

The IFA, though, were having none of it with its president warning that more could be lost than gained in any reform of the direct payments system.

“The current system suits Ireland ver y well,” he said. “IFA would be very concerned with any tampering with the payments system as it is and (we) would also be concerned about any restrictions which would link these payments to environmental issues as is being discussed in Europe.”

Outgoing Minister for Agriculture Ivan Yates was more blunt, describing the Fianna Fáil manifesto as “bankrupt” and “an insult” to farmers.