Farmers’ faith in Department is ‘shattered’ – Gorman

New IFA president hails farmers’ climate work and calls for more government support

Teagasc’s policy was “drive on” up until recently, new IFA President Francie Gorman has said, adding that Irish farmers are the unsung heroes of climate action and biodiversity.

Addressing agriculture’s efforts to tackle climate change with media at the Association’s AGM in Bluebell, Co Dublin last week, Mr Gorman said “the best farmers have always adopted the advice that came from the likes of Teagasc”.

He added: “Up to a very short number of years ago, the mantra was more, more, more and drive on. It’s really only in the last two to four years that this focus on climate change and emissions has really grabbed the attention of everybody, including us.”

Irish farmers, he said, have made huge changes to reduce emissions and improve biodiversity, however he warned “extreme words and actions” of a small but vocal minority risk turning farmers off.

“Most farmers and most environmentalists agree that our grass-based family farm structure needs to be defended and supported. It is the extremes — on both sides — that are polarising the debate,” he said.

Mr Gorman said it was frustrating that the Minister for Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture have not lived up to their side of the bargain.

“The delay in payments through the ACRES scheme and the TAMS scheme to support farmers in such initiatives as building more nutrient storage and erecting solar panels is an abject failure by the Minister and his officials.

“Farmers’ faith in the Department of Agriculture to design and operate schemes has been shattered,” he said.

“I believe farmers are willing to do even more if a more ambitious environment scheme was put in place, such as an inclusive ‘farmer-friendly’ scheme that would pay up to €15,000 per farmer.

“With the Climate and Nature fund announced in last year’s budget, I believe this can be achieved.”

Mr Gorman said he will tackle the first issue that comes on to his desk in the most proactive way in order to get the best possible delivery for farmers.

“If you don’t handle that right, people will say this lad is a soft touch and he’s going to roll over on everything,” he said.

“It’s not within the first 100 days — it’s actually how you deal with the first issues that come to the fore.”

Mr Gorman was asked about the future of the association’s offices at the Irish Farm Centre in Bluebell.

“I’d always like to have a presence in Dublin, but what this is going to look like in 10 years’ time is something that will have to be looked at as well,” he said.

“We’re in a different environment working from home now. You know it yourselves in the Journal, FBD across the road, we’re all kind of one big — if you want to call it — maybe one big family here.

“The same footprint is not here as it was previously and that’s going to have to be looked at.”

When asked if he had confidence in the Government and Minister Charlie McConalogue, Gorman replied: “I’ve met Charlie McConalogue on many occasions, at shows during the summer — he’s a very very active Minister for Agriculture.

“I’m not going there. I’m going to sit down and discuss the issues with him and try to get a resolution.”

Mr Gorman said he is happy to work with Sinn Féin, were the party to be elected to Government.

“Irrespective of who is elected, we will sit down and work with them,” he said.

Mr Gorman said he would not support a farmers’ political party in Ireland. “If we got into the political space, we would be gone in five years because we wouldn’t have an association,” he said.