Sligo IFA Chairman JP Cowley on some of the key issues for farmers
With 40% of our agri- food exports destined for the UK, no other member state and no other sector is as exposed to the outcome of Brexit negotiations as Irish agriculture.
IFA has strongly urged our Government to use the strong relationships it has with EU and UK leaders to influence a constructive approach to Brexit negotiations.
The Government must prioritise the retention of free trade in agriculture and food products between the EU and UK. Any budget shortfall arising from Brexit must be made up by the remaining Member States, so that farmers are not hit with CAP cuts when the UK leaves.
IFA is mounting a strong campaign to ensure the areas currently designated as Areas of Natural Constraint ( ANC) are fully protected in the forthcoming review. We are also seeking to secure higher ANC payments for farmers. Currently ANC payments are worth € 7.9m to Sligo farmers.
ANC payments represent a significant support for up to 95,000 farmers who farm in some of the most difficult conditions. This must be recognised by European and national politicians. Every effort must be made to protect the already designated areas and to restore payments to farmers to their pre- 2009 levels when Budget cutbacks were made.
The Government, in the negotiations with the EU Commission on the review, must put forward strong arguments that support this vital scheme. IFA has raised this with the Minister for Agriculture and we will be lobbying all TDs, Senators and MEPs on this issue.
IFA is prioritising increased targeted direct supports of € 200 per cow and a strong live export trade in order to support and maintain our quality suckler cow herd, which forms the backbone of Ireland’s € 2.3bn beef and livestock sector.
The € 52m Beef Data and Genomics Programme ( BDGP) secured by IFA was a positive start in terms of supporting the suckler cow herd and IFA is proposing that the level of direct support for the suckler cow herd should be increased to € 200 per cow.
Minister Creed must immediately reopen the BDGP scheme to allow new applicants in 2017, in line with the commitment given in Budget 2017.
We know that investment in the suckler cow herd delivers real value for money in rural communities. A study for IFA by UCD Professor of Agricultural Economics Alan Renwick shows that each € 1 of support invested in the beef sector, underpins over € 4 in output in the Irish economy. At local level, the study showed that the cattle sector is embedded in the local economy, with 80% of cattle output sold in the area and over 90% of inputs sourced in the local area.
IFA has called on Agriculture Minister Michael Creed to prioritise live exports in 2017. With a forecast for an additional 100,000 head of cattle in 2017, a strong live export trade is vital for both price competition and market outlets.
In order to provide a vital boost to calf exports at this critical time, IFA has proposed that the € 8 per head charges on live exports be rescinded and the transport issues to Holland be resolved.
More resources in the Department of Agriculture must be committed to live exports and IFA has requested Minister Creed undertake a diplomatic visit to Egypt to get the live export trade to this important market moving. There are major live export opportunities in Egypt, which Ireland is well placed to supply. In addition IFA has requested that the veterinary certificate is amended and more dedicated boats cleared.
IFA recently highlighted the unacceptable delay faced by farmers awaiting GLAS payments with a protest outside the Department of Agriculture. The Minister subsequently committed to increasing the frequency of payment runs.
Payments are issuing but not at the numbers required to clear all outstanding cases. This must be rectified for farmers who urgently need payments. The numbers paid in each run must increase substantially.
IFA is also pressing the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to immediately pursue with the European Commission the IFA proposal that all farmers awaiting GLAS payments are now paid and that any issues surrounding plans would be sorted out later.
The fundamental focus in the upcoming CAP review must be on ensuring farmers achieve viable incomes in return for the high quality food they produce, and their efforts towards protecting the rural environment and supporting rural development.
IFA has set out key priorities for EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan in the upcoming review: improving farm incomes by securing a stronger CAP budget; a properly functioning market that returns a viable price to farmers; ensuring that direct payments go to active farmers who protect the environment and produce quality food; and, an enhanced Rural Development Programme for farm schemes.