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Macra na Feirme has called for prioritisation of young farmers in any additional funding set aside in Budget 2021, along with any EU funds.
The call was made during a meeting of the young farmer organisation with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Coveney.
Macra national president Thomas Duffy said: “The Government have pledged support for farming in the case of a hard Brexit, we need to be clear this money must go to young farmers first.”
“They are the ones who have made substantial investment in recent years on the basis of promises made about trade with the UK.”
Repaying investments
Macra highlighted that €114m had been approved under the TAMS Young Farmer Scheme, resulting in a total investment of €190m by young farmers on farms.
Duffy continued: “In the case of a major impact on farmgate prices as a result of a no-deal Brexit, the Government must ensure young farmers can afford to make repayments on investments.
“Cross-border trade is vital for many young farmers in the border counties and must be protected.”
Concerns over the demand for new markets and impact of the loss of the land bridge in shipping food products were also raised with Minister Coveney.
“The Government are rightfully focusing on maintaining such a key market as the UK, but if we lose this, they must move to ensure there is a market for all product in other countries,” agricultural affairs chair Shane Fitzgerald concluded.
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