Concerns over ‘lack of specifics’ in programme

IRISH CREAMERY MILK SUPPLIERS’ ASSOCIATION WELCOMES ASPECTS OF GOVT PROGRAMME, BUT DETAILS ON EMISSIONS TARGETS REQUIRE FURTHER EXPANSION

THE IRISH Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association has said it is troubled by a “lack of specifics” in certain parts of the Programme for Government where farming is concerned.

The Association’s President, Pat McCormack, described the programme as “detailed in its scope and ambition”, and he said that several passages relating to agriculture will come as reassuring to farmers.

He also expressed acknowledgement that efforts were made to “avoid the kind of crude ‘farmer-bashing’” that many in the sector had worried would transpire.

He did, however, express concern over specifics in relation to lowering emissions and how farmers would be assisted financially in helping reach such targets.

“Nowhere was this lack more obvious than on the question of the ‘REPs-type’ scheme envisaged in the Programme,” an association spokesperson outlined.

“The ICMSA President said that if this scheme is to be meaningful then it is going to have to accommodate over 70,000 farmers – including commercial farmers – and the funding will have to reflect that number of participants and the step-change such a scheme represents.

“It would necessarily involve serious expenditure commensurate with the seriousness of the challenge and ambition, and ICMSA believes that the political parties should spell out their specific proposals on this matter.

“The funding allocated will reveal whether this new scheme is a real option for farmers.”

Mr McCormack added that his association is hopeful and wants the programme to mark the start of a closer relationship between environmental concerns and family farms, but he added that both sides will have to play their part in achieving this.

“That can only be on the basis of mutual respect and a willingness to accept uncomfortable realities,” he said.

“Policies and solutions on climate change must come from an understanding of context and pragmatism – and not ideology imposed from outside or above.”