The IFA has called for the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) budget to be increased by €73m to €300m in the next budget. This, along with the extra €25m allocated in last year’s budget, would reverse cuts that took place in 2009.

In its pre-budget submission, the IFA has prioritised additional support for suckler and sheep enterprises.

Calls have also been reiterated by the IFA for a targeted €200 payment per suckler cow and an additional €5 payment per ewe as part of a targeted environmental measure.

Acknowledging that the extreme weather conditions have taken their toll on farmers, the IFA is asking for a deferral of tax charges on profits from excess disposals during the year.

Transfer and succession

Farm transfer and succession is also high on the IFA’s agenda. Stamp duty is one area where it sees farmers unfairly disadvantaged.

Changes are being sought to the inclusion of agriculture under the commercial definition for stamp duty which was increased to 6% last year.

The IFA proposes that agriculture is revised in line with the residential stamp duty of 1%, up to €1m and 2% thereafter.

In order to ensure transferor ease of mind and encourage more succession farm partnerships, the IFA is seeking the percentage of farming assets to be transferred at the end of the partnership be reduced from 80% to 65%.

Farm safety

Given agriculture’s poor safety record, suggestions to bring improvements to this area are contained in the submission. A removal of VAT on farm safety equipment is proposed along with a grant-aided PTO scrappage scheme.

Producer groups can secure funding of €3,000 for costs incurred in the set-up.

The IFA is requesting that funding be extended to the ongoing running costs for such groups.

Tax discrimination

The IFA has also stated that it would like to see the discrimination in the income tax system removed by increasing self-employed tax credits by €500.

At present, the self-employed qualify for a tax credit of €1,150 while PAYE employees qualify for €1,650.

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