Budget 2017 comes at a critical time for farming

Poor prices, bad weather, Brexit and difficulties gaining reasonably-priced credit mean farming badly needs support in the months ahead. Finance Minister Michael Noonan will be listened to closely when he gets to his feet next Tuesday.

It is Agriculture Minister Michael Creed’s first budget, and an early test of his tenure.

The needs of farmers have been highlighted – indeed, prioritised – by independent TDs, both within and outside Government; Fianna Fáil, whose support the government relies on; and by backbenchers within the Fine Gael parliamentary party.

For An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, it is widely expected to be his last budget as Taoiseach. A lot is at stake.

We analyse the key areas where Budget 2017 will impact on the everyday life of farm families, through taxation measures, scheme support, and the safety net that the Farm Assist and Rural Social Schemes are supposed to provide.

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Full coverage: Budget 2017