Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA)

ICMSA president Pat McCormack was critical of the budget saying the Government did not understand the scale of the challenge faced by farmers. He said income volatility was the biggest single issue facing farms and yet no measure was introduced to help cope with market volatility.

He said the only conclusion that could be drawn was that the Government had decided its agenda was enhancing the position of corporate structures and big business over family farms. He said tweaks to schemes and the additional of new ones with more conditions was merely “throwing shapes”.

Irish Cattle Sheep Association (ICSA)

ICSA welcomed the €40 payment for weighing calves saying an accurate weight was a real measure of how a cow performed. The restoration of the ANC budget was also welcomed as ICSA said it had been an income loss for the most disadvantaged farmers.

The failure to achieve parity between earned income tax credits for the self-employed and PAYE workers credits was heavily criticised. ICSA president Patrick Kent said it was indicated the gap would be closed over three budgets and instead it now looked like being seven.

Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA)

The INHFA expressed major concerns with some parts of the budget while welcoming others. INHFA president Colm O’Donnell said the increase to the ANC budget was a positive but it must be ensured that “payment rates reflect the actual land constraint”.

On the beef pilot scheme, he said anything putting money in the sector was positive but it seemed complicated and a scheme targeting extensive grazing could deliver better outcomes.

He added the increase of spending for forestry was a major concern, especially if it promoted non-native species.

Macra na Feirme

Macra has said the budget was an example of “thinking within the box” but the organisation welcomed some positive developments for young farmers. These include stamp duty relief and stock relief for young trained farmers.

Macra president James Healy said the retention of the 90% agricultural relief on capital acquisitions tax was essential.

He also welcomed the fund for Brexit-related supports and called on Minister Creed to ring-fence a percentage of the funding for young farmers.

Agricultural Consultants Association (ACA)

The Agricultural Consultants Association (ACA) has welcomed the budget measures. It has carried out some initial calculations showing that suckler farmers on low incomes might have improved income by 10% as a result of the budget changes, but it is 10% of a very low income.

The consultants suggested the BEEP and the increased ANC payment represent a timely boost for the suckler sector. They also welcomed the retention of stock relief, the stamp duty exemption and the broadening of the income averaging rules. The increase in the CAT threshold (€10,000) is miniscule given the reduction that has occurred since 2009.