Both the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) and the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) have expressed disappointment following Budget 2026. IFA president Francie Gorman said that the farming measures in Budget 2026 are decidedly underwhelming in the context of the increasing cost of doing business in Ireland.
“The tillage sector is going through a major crisis. The announcement today will go some way towards providing support to growers, but it will not be near enough to alleviate the serious crisis in the sector,” Gorman added. The reduction in the flat rate addition for VAT from 5.1% to 4.5% will also come at a cost to farmers of over €61m this year, according to IFA farm business chair Bill O’Keeffe.
Meanwhile, the ICMSA was keen to see an income volatility tool included as part of the budget, in order to allow dairy farmers to manage downward swings in income. A tool, ICMSA president Denis Drennan said, is needed if the next generation is to be encouraged onto the land. However, Budget 2026 “didn’t even try”, according to Drennan.
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Both the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) and the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) have expressed disappointment following Budget 2026. IFA president Francie Gorman said that the farming measures in Budget 2026 are decidedly underwhelming in the context of the increasing cost of doing business in Ireland.
“The tillage sector is going through a major crisis. The announcement today will go some way towards providing support to growers, but it will not be near enough to alleviate the serious crisis in the sector,” Gorman added. The reduction in the flat rate addition for VAT from 5.1% to 4.5% will also come at a cost to farmers of over €61m this year, according to IFA farm business chair Bill O’Keeffe.
Meanwhile, the ICMSA was keen to see an income volatility tool included as part of the budget, in order to allow dairy farmers to manage downward swings in income. A tool, ICMSA president Denis Drennan said, is needed if the next generation is to be encouraged onto the land. However, Budget 2026 “didn’t even try”, according to Drennan.
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