The IFA today launched its submission to the political parties and Dáil candidates for the 2016 general election, setting out the main policy issues to be addressed in each commodity sector and dealing with important cross-sectoral issues. The campaign launch focused on the beef forum and tackling rural crime.
The submission also highlights the wider issues affecting farm families and rural communities, such as rural services and infrastructure, social policy and farm safety.
IFA national chair Jer Bergin said the viability of family farms has been threatened by a combination of reduced national funding for farm schemes, lower CAP supports and greater exposure to volatile world markets.
“Investment in agriculture has always benefited the greater economy,” said Bergin. “We’ve a strong case to make and we will be pushing it all the way.”
Tangible measures
In the submission, “tangible measures that address these threats” include:
Annual expenditure of €580m (national and EU) for farm schemes, including the restoration of cuts to payment rates for disadvantaged areas and €250m allocation for GLAS.Stronger EU CAP budget and supports.Increased supports for low-income sectors and vulnerable regions, including targeted payments of €200 per suckler cow and €20 per ewe.Effective measures to redress the balance of power in the food supply chain and ensure fair and viable commodity prices for farmers.Real delivery for farmers from access to new export markets.Improved services and infrastructure for rural Ireland.Taxation measures that improve farm profitability, promote on-farm investment and encourage young farmers.Actions on input costs.Robust defence of Ireland’s interests in trade policy and climate change negotiations.A single authority to manage waterways and tackle flooding.Bergin also addressed the growing dissatisfaction with the Beef Forum, calling for third-party management of the situation.
“It is clear that there is a need for a policeman or referee to take the industry forward with the interest of low-income farms in mind,” said Bergin. “There is a need for a national approach and whether that takes the shape of a Beef Forum or otherwise doesn’t really matter.”
IFA livestock chair Henry Burns pointed out the fact that the Minister for Agriculture licenses the beef factories and “if he doesn’t see fit to sort it out the system, it is weighted against us. The minister needs to stand in on our behalf as farmers.”
Rural crime
The manifesto calls for the enforcement of scrap metal legislation, support for the establishment of IFA’s national text alert service and increased garda policing hours and presence in rural areas.
“The perception is that people don’t feel safe anymore,” said Tim O’Leary, IFA deputy president. “We require reassurance that this is being addressed. We have to see a garda presence at infrequent times, not just that they pass down the road at a specific time every single week.”
The sustainable growth of family farming
With over 250,000 farm family voters in the upcoming election, Bergin said that the IFA will work to ensure that politicians and political parties establish policies that promise a real and positive impact on agriculture and rural Ireland.
“We expect firm commitments from all parties that they will undertake actions to support agriculture, put the sustainable and profitable growth of family farming to the fore and prioritise the rejuvenation of rural Ireland as an essential element of economic recovery.
“Crucially, when a new Government is in place, they must make good on their election promises on agriculture as an utmost priority,” he continued. “IFA will be holding them to account on their commitments in any programme for government throughout 2016 and beyond.”
During the general election campaign, the IFA county executives will be meeting the candidates at constituency level to discuss the agenda. At national level, the IFA will be engaging with the party leaders and agriculture spokespersons.
Additional reporting by Aine Hennessy.
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The IFA today launched its submission to the political parties and Dáil candidates for the 2016 general election, setting out the main policy issues to be addressed in each commodity sector and dealing with important cross-sectoral issues. The campaign launch focused on the beef forum and tackling rural crime.
The submission also highlights the wider issues affecting farm families and rural communities, such as rural services and infrastructure, social policy and farm safety.
IFA national chair Jer Bergin said the viability of family farms has been threatened by a combination of reduced national funding for farm schemes, lower CAP supports and greater exposure to volatile world markets.
“Investment in agriculture has always benefited the greater economy,” said Bergin. “We’ve a strong case to make and we will be pushing it all the way.”
Tangible measures
In the submission, “tangible measures that address these threats” include:
Annual expenditure of €580m (national and EU) for farm schemes, including the restoration of cuts to payment rates for disadvantaged areas and €250m allocation for GLAS.Stronger EU CAP budget and supports.Increased supports for low-income sectors and vulnerable regions, including targeted payments of €200 per suckler cow and €20 per ewe.Effective measures to redress the balance of power in the food supply chain and ensure fair and viable commodity prices for farmers.Real delivery for farmers from access to new export markets.Improved services and infrastructure for rural Ireland.Taxation measures that improve farm profitability, promote on-farm investment and encourage young farmers.Actions on input costs.Robust defence of Ireland’s interests in trade policy and climate change negotiations.A single authority to manage waterways and tackle flooding.Bergin also addressed the growing dissatisfaction with the Beef Forum, calling for third-party management of the situation.
“It is clear that there is a need for a policeman or referee to take the industry forward with the interest of low-income farms in mind,” said Bergin. “There is a need for a national approach and whether that takes the shape of a Beef Forum or otherwise doesn’t really matter.”
IFA livestock chair Henry Burns pointed out the fact that the Minister for Agriculture licenses the beef factories and “if he doesn’t see fit to sort it out the system, it is weighted against us. The minister needs to stand in on our behalf as farmers.”
Rural crime
The manifesto calls for the enforcement of scrap metal legislation, support for the establishment of IFA’s national text alert service and increased garda policing hours and presence in rural areas.
“The perception is that people don’t feel safe anymore,” said Tim O’Leary, IFA deputy president. “We require reassurance that this is being addressed. We have to see a garda presence at infrequent times, not just that they pass down the road at a specific time every single week.”
The sustainable growth of family farming
With over 250,000 farm family voters in the upcoming election, Bergin said that the IFA will work to ensure that politicians and political parties establish policies that promise a real and positive impact on agriculture and rural Ireland.
“We expect firm commitments from all parties that they will undertake actions to support agriculture, put the sustainable and profitable growth of family farming to the fore and prioritise the rejuvenation of rural Ireland as an essential element of economic recovery.
“Crucially, when a new Government is in place, they must make good on their election promises on agriculture as an utmost priority,” he continued. “IFA will be holding them to account on their commitments in any programme for government throughout 2016 and beyond.”
During the general election campaign, the IFA county executives will be meeting the candidates at constituency level to discuss the agenda. At national level, the IFA will be engaging with the party leaders and agriculture spokespersons.
Additional reporting by Aine Hennessy.
Read more
General election candidates face young Kerry farmers
Farmer writes: Frustration from lack of communication and understanding
Ireland among EU member states using pigmeat storage aid
Full coverage: IFA elections 2016
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