ANCs review process must not pit farmers against one another
The reality is that farmers operating a suckler/sheep flock on marginal land, whether it be flat, hill or mountain, are simply not in a position to take a reduction in their ANC payment.
In this environment, there is a real risk that the review process could turn farmer against farmer – a risk that will be elevated if politicians play parochial politics with the issue in a bid to secure votes.
Few can argue with the position of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) and indeed the IFA that the more severe the constraint, the higher the ANC payment for productive farmers. However, the opposite is also true in that the more productive the land, the more support active farmers should secure under Pillar 1.
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The reality is that farmers operating a suckler/sheep flock on marginal land – whether it be flat, hill or mountain – are simply not in a position to take a reduction in their ANC payment. Both sectors need increased support, not less.
As a divided group, farmers will stand much less of a chance of receiving a commitment to increasing the ANC budget to a level that adequately reflects the financial challenges facing all suckler and sheep farmers.
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In this environment, there is a real risk that the review process could turn farmer against farmer – a risk that will be elevated if politicians play parochial politics with the issue in a bid to secure votes.
Few can argue with the position of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) and indeed the IFA that the more severe the constraint, the higher the ANC payment for productive farmers. However, the opposite is also true in that the more productive the land, the more support active farmers should secure under Pillar 1.
The reality is that farmers operating a suckler/sheep flock on marginal land – whether it be flat, hill or mountain – are simply not in a position to take a reduction in their ANC payment. Both sectors need increased support, not less.
As a divided group, farmers will stand much less of a chance of receiving a commitment to increasing the ANC budget to a level that adequately reflects the financial challenges facing all suckler and sheep farmers.
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