Having read the IFA submission to the political parties and Dáil candidates ahead of the 2016 general election, I starting thinking, what would I like an incoming Government, and in particular the Minister for Agriculture, to deliver for the farming community and rural dwellers?

The first issue is for Government recognition that, overall, farm family incomes are low, and to implement measures to improve the level of profitability at farm level. Many of us have improvements to make inside the farm gate. However, areas such as live cattle exports, cross-border meat labelling and CAP schemes are where the Government can directly influence farm profitability.

The next Government should as a matter of urgency restore the Department of Agriculture’s budget to pre-recession levels. The Department’s budget was drastically cut in the recession and now we are possibly seeing the results of these cuts, through the problems in getting scheme payments to all eligible farmers on time.

The Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, now called Areas of Natural Constraint payment, should also be brought back up to 2008 levels. This will directly affect many low-income small farmers who depend greatly on this payment and who are likely to spend this money in the local area, thereby supporting local communities.

Taxation measures

Taxation measures should include a particular emphasis to bring equity to the tax system between the self-employed and the PAYE worker. Issues such as the earned income tax credit and PRSI entitlements, must not discriminate against the self-employed and farmers.

Another issue that farmers and the self-employed must continue to lobby potential TDs on, is the area of third-level college grants. Farmers must fight to ensure that there is no change to the current system and that the children of farm families continue to be eligible for college grants on the basis of farm income and not the farm assets owned by the family.

Similarly, in relation to the Fair Deal Scheme, the viability of the family farm must not be put at risk due to the cost of providing nursng home care for a family member.

These are just some of the issues I intend to raise with general election candidates who are looking for a vote over the next few weeks. I think it is vital that farmers and their families ensure that potential TDs are aware of the issues facing farming and rural communities. But, most of all, ensure you get out and use your vote.