The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
IFA is spearheading the fight for farmers
IFA is fighting on a range of issues that will have long-term impacts for farmers, writes Kerry IFA Chairman Pat O’Driscoll
BREXIT, CAP reform and the Mercosur trade deal are three major issues with far-reaching impacts, and IFA is in right the heart of them, fighting on behalf of Irish farmers. Crunch time for CAP
The crucial CAP Budget will be determined in early May. IFA has met with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan and other European officials to spell out that under no circumstances can any option other than an increase in funding be contemplated.
CAP direct payments are vital to support the incomes of Irish and European farmers, and in turn to the secure supply of safe quality food for European consumers.
CAP delivers for the economy, the environment and society and it needs to deliver for farm incomes. That is the message we have been giving to TDs and Senators from all over the country, and at all levels of Government.
Farmers cannot be penalised simply because the UK has decided to leave the EU.
IFA has make a strong case for each Member State to increase its contribution to the EU Budget, proposing contributions increase from 1 to 1.2% of Gross National Income, to reflect the impact of Brexit on the one hand, and the improved EU economic conditions on the other.
Direct payments make up more than 100% of incomes in some sectors. We need strong Pillar I and Pillar II structures, targeted payments to vulnerable sectors such as sheep and suckers, and well-funded market support mechanisms for sectors subject to volatility. Brexit focus
Last month a report published by Government showed the very stark impact of a hard Brexit on the Irish agri-food sector. That was no surprise to farmers; the catastrophic outcome facing the sector in the event of a hard Brexit is something IFA has raised at all political levels since before the referendum.
The Government’s focus needs to be on securing an outcome that avoids this bleak scenario and secures the retention of free trade in agriculture and food products between the EU and UK.
There has, understandably, been a lot of focus on the border and the UK commitment in relation to regulatory alignment is significant in that regard. However, for the Irish agri food sector, the focus needs to be on the relationship between the EU and the entirety of the UK.
The Irish Government has to maintain its focus on that relationship, and the need for the UK to maintain full regulatory alignment with the EU in the area of agriculture and food in any future relationship.
We certainly cannot have a scenario where the UK Government can do as they please as regards agricultural trade with third countries. If the UK wants continued access to the EU market, the EU must insist that the UK will not be free to open their markets to low standard or low value products from outside the EU. Suckler support
Earlier this month, IFA joined with the Farmers Journal in a major meeting in support of our campaign for €200 per suckler cow in Castleisland Mart.
We have put the Government under extreme pressure on this issue, including during a Dail debate initiated by Fianna Fail last month.
It is now time for Minister Creed to come on side and back Irish suckler farmers. He has conceded the need for additional suckler support but has tried to push out additional funding to beyond 2020 as part of the CAP reform.
He is telling farmers that under state aid rules he cannot pay €200 per cow but IFA has been to Brussels and the EU Commission is clear that Ireland can make a targeted payment of €200 per cow under the animal welfare option in the CAP Rural Development Plan, which can be financed with exchequer funding.
With a financial surplus of over €3bn heading into the next Budget, and the chance of an election never far from the horizon, it is clear that resources are there and it a matter of priorities for Minister Creed.
It will be a challenge, but we are determined to drive this campaign hard. We secured the BDGP scheme, we secured the sheep welfare scheme and we secured an additional €25m for ANCs. With suckler farmers under sever income pressure, this additional support is badly needed.
TB review
TB controls place an enormous financial burden on farms, as IFA recently highlighted in relation to the impact in South Kerry where TB is a significant problem.
In the upcoming review of the eradication programme, IFA is insisting that where controls are deemed necessary to achieve eradication, farmers must be fully compensated for the disruption and costs imposed on their business.
IFA also is demanding changes to the live valuation scheme that will ensure farmers are fully compensated for the animals they lose – currently, in the case of some animals, IFA has identified shortcomings of up to €300.
Apart from the financial loss, there is also the emotional trauma for a farmer when the herd is taken away. We need to make significant progress in removing the threat of TB, and that includes a wildlife control programme that works and addresses contributing factors such as badgers and deer. All the resources necessary must be provided to bring this problem under control.
Building back ANCs Details of how the additional €25m for the 2018 Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme will be allocated were recently released by the Department of Agriculture.
IFA secured this additional funding in this year’s Budget and views it as the start of the reversal of cuts to the important scheme imposed in 2009.
It is positive that all farmers will benefit from the increase. The change to the ANC allocation will mean the maximum payment for hill areas will be €4,038; €3,120 in more severely handicapped areas; and, €2,647 in less severely handicapped areas.
Keep up with the latest news and developments and IFA campaigns at www.ifa.ie or by downloading the IFA App – www.ifa.ie/app