Michael Murphy's main budget expectation is the new €25m sheep scheme.
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There are two key budget measures that would help Co Galway sheep farmer Michael Murphy: the launch of the promised new ewe scheme and the restoration of Areas of Natural Conservation (ANC) payments to pre-recession levels.
“The big thing for us is the €25m for the ewe premium,” Michael told the Irish Farmers Journal. Exchequer funding is due to be announced for the scheme on Tuesday under the Rural Development Plan, with sheep farmers expected to implement welfare measures receive a €10/ewe payment.
“We could do with an increase in ANC payments to revert to the 45ha that could be paid before 2009,” Michael also said. While he was originally eligible for the maximum ANC payment, the lowering of the ceiling to 30ha means that he has lost nearly €2,000/year. “That one cheque is a big help when it comes in September,” he said.
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While farming organisations are campaigning for additional funding under schemes such as GLAS and TAMS II, Michael’s priority would rather be to speed up the payment of existing funds. But with cashflow difficulties on farms this year, he does not see much benefit in offering more farmers to “invest first and get the grant later”.
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There are two key budget measures that would help Co Galway sheep farmer Michael Murphy: the launch of the promised new ewe scheme and the restoration of Areas of Natural Conservation (ANC) payments to pre-recession levels.
“The big thing for us is the €25m for the ewe premium,” Michael told the Irish Farmers Journal. Exchequer funding is due to be announced for the scheme on Tuesday under the Rural Development Plan, with sheep farmers expected to implement welfare measures receive a €10/ewe payment.
“We could do with an increase in ANC payments to revert to the 45ha that could be paid before 2009,” Michael also said. While he was originally eligible for the maximum ANC payment, the lowering of the ceiling to 30ha means that he has lost nearly €2,000/year. “That one cheque is a big help when it comes in September,” he said.
While farming organisations are campaigning for additional funding under schemes such as GLAS and TAMS II, Michael’s priority would rather be to speed up the payment of existing funds. But with cashflow difficulties on farms this year, he does not see much benefit in offering more farmers to “invest first and get the grant later”.
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