IFA receive EU confirmation on ANC increase

IFA Rural Development Chairman Joe Brady has said the IFA has received confirmation from the European Commission that the proposed €25m increase in Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme (ANC) payments promised in the Programme for Government can be made later this year to Brussels as part of an amendment to the 2014-2020 Rural Development Plan.

Mr Brady was speaking following a meeting in Brussels this week, and has called on the Government to deliver on its commitment to increase payments next year.

“With the possible deferral of the ANC review until 2019 as a result of a recent Farm Council meeting, the commitment to increase payments in 2018 must still be fully honoured by the Government”.

The Rural Development Chairman described the ANC scheme as a significant support to the incomes of farmers, adding that:

“Any deferral of the review until 2019 must not deflect from the clear message at all of IFA’s meetings as part of our ANC campaign over the past number of months.

“Cuts imposed in 2009 have to be fully restored to bring the overall allocation to €250m; all areas currently designated as ANC must be protected in the review; and payment rates need to increase and reflect the natural handicap of the land,” he said, before going on to explain that ANC funding will be a central part of the IFA’s 2018 Pre-Budget submission.