On the announcement of an additional €85m for the TB control programme, the first priority must be to increase the outdated compensation caps, the ICSA president Seán McNamara has said.

The current ceilings of €3,000 for commercial animals and €5,000 for pedigree animals are totally unrealistic, according to McNamara.

"[The] ICSA has been calling for these to be increased to €5,000 and €7,000 respectively, and this must happen now without delay. Farmers with top-quality breeding stock are not being fairly compensated for their losses, and this is undermining livelihoods across the country. TB eradication is an important national goal, but it cannot come at the expense of low-income beef and suckler farmers," McNamara said.

He said the ICSA wants to see the additional TB funding used to support fair compensation, effective wildlife control, and genuine engagement with farmers rather than simply expanding testing or bureaucracy.

'Real pressures'

McNamara has said that while Budget 2026 contains some positives, it does not go far enough to deal with the real pressures facing beef, sheep, suckler, and tillage farmers.

“Farmers are still grappling with soaring costs and tightening margins, yet there’s very little here to tackle the income crisis on the ground,” he said.

McNamara welcomed the retention of the National Beef and Sheep Welfare Schemes but said the momentum towards delivering €300 per suckler cow and €35/ewe should have been maintained, not stalled.

“It is vital that these scheme payment rates are at least maintained at 2025 levels, with €13/ewe in the Sheep Welfare Scheme, delivering a potential €25/ewe when combined with the Sheep Improvement Scheme. Likewise, the €75/hd under the Beef Welfare Scheme must continue, maintaining the €250 per cow/calf achievable when combined with SCEP.

"These schemes are vital to sustaining family farm incomes, but farmers needed to see progress, not just a holding pattern.”

Tillage

He also welcomed that funding had been secured for a tillage support scheme and said the ICSA looks forward to further discussion on its design and operation.

“The tillage sector is under severe pressure, and meaningful support is urgently needed to protect its future.”

This budget could have done more to kickstart generational renewal

McNamara welcomed the continuation of key agri-taxation reliefs which support farm succession and generational renewal. However, he said this budget could have done more to genuinely kickstart generational renewal.

“Succession is one of the biggest challenges facing Irish farming, particularly for drystock enterprises where incomes are too low to attract younger farmers. Tax reliefs are important, but Budget 2026 could have done more on generational renewal, and funding should have been ringfenced to get the process moving.”

He said the increase in forestry funding and, in particular, the establishment of a reconstitution scheme for landowners affected by the devastation caused by storm Eowyn is a positive step.

Organics

Regarding the Organic Farming Scheme, McNamara welcomed the continuation of financial supports and the decision to reopen the scheme for tillage farmers.

However, he described the exclusion of beef and sheep farmers from this reopening as a serious mistake.

“The momentum in organics must be maintained, and limiting access in this way is a step backwards. All sectors should have the opportunity to participate.”

The ICSA also welcomed the continued focus on improving water quality and retaining the nitrates derogation but warned that this must not come at the expense of drystock farmers.

“Drystock farmers cannot become collateral damage in the nitrates debate. Balanced policies are needed that support all farmers to make environmental improvements without undermining their ability to earn a living," he said.