‘Fine Gael ignored measures that would have helped farmers’
Fianna Fáil’s proposals to help alleviate the problems facing farmers in this country were ‘ignored by Fine Gael’, says outgoing Fianna Fáil TD, Eamon Scanlon.
Scanlon is seeking re-election in this weekend’s General Election, and he says that his party will not forget the farmers if they are successful.
The North West TD was commenting as Fianna Fáil outlined its policy for creating a sustainable agricultural sector. The Party manifesto recognises the challenges faced by the sector and sets out a number of policies to protect and enhance it.
He said: “Poor leadership and a lack of action has led to the crisis the farming community finds itself in.
“In March 2018, Fianna Fáil brought forward a motion to address the beef crisis. In it we set out a number of steps the Government could take to address the problem.
“Fast forward to September 2019 and following a number of factory gate protests in the North West and nationwide, Fine Gael sat down with farmers and agreed on a number of measures, most of which were contained in the Fianna Fáil motion.
“The proposals we outlined then would have gone some way to helping the farmers who are on their knees now – but they were ignored by Fine Gael.”
Scanlon says that his party will protect family farms.
“Fianna Fáil will continue to put farmers best interests to the fore.
“We will deliver policies that will protect the 137,500 family farms across the country and secure a fair price for the primary producer. We will protect Ireland’s interests in CAP negotiations, work to ensure farming is a viable business and develop new market opportunities.
“While the Government keeps referring to 2030 and 2040 as their target for solutions we want to deliver change now. In the next five years we will seek to amend EU rules to provide greater supports for the sector. We will expand farm assist and increase areas of Natural Constraints and biodiversity payments.
“We want to ensure a suckler cow payment of €200 per head and get access to international markets. Irish beef is a premium product, respected worldwide. It is important farmers receive a price that reflect this.
“Farmers in the North West have experienced some of the worst years in the industry. We have limited land holdings and therefore cannot just change our model of farming.
“Problems in the sector are down to a hands-off approach by the government. There is a lack of leadership from the Minister for Agriculture and Fine Gael in this sector. It is clear we need a change,” added Deputy Scanlon.