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Newly-elected president of the Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association, Colm O’Donnell, has vowed to protect farmers with hill and designated land in the upcoming CAP review.
O’Donnell, who hails from south Sligo, was elected as the INHFA’s first national president on Tuesday night, 20 June.
INHFA members also voted in Michéal McDonnell as national secretary, Brendan O’Malley as treasurer and Siobhan Ward as PRO.
Speaking after his election, O’Donnell said the need for an organisation to represent farmers with hill and designated land was “more critical than ever, especially as we head into new CAP negotiations while also dealing with the challenges of Brexit.”
Constraints
“The need for a CAP deal post-2020 that recognises the constraints they experience due to habitat conservation is a major priority,” he insisted.
“With farmers on designated lands required to seek permission for 39 different actions that other farmers need not worry about, they have extra costs and a reduced earning potential that will have to be compensated.”
Farmers on designated lands are required to seek permission for 39 different actions that other farmers need not worry about
O’Donnell will also prioritise ensuring the Farmers Charter of Rights becomes part of the terms and conditions for farm schemes. This, he said, would ensure farmers receive their payments when due, “unlike what happened with GLAS”.
Other areas of focus for the INHFA will be an independent appeals board for farm inspections, a top-up payment for hill ewes in the Sheep Welfare Scheme and the rates of payment in the continuing ANC review.
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