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Micheál Martin pledged to strongly support farming if in government when addressing the IFA AGM on Tuesday afternoon.
In a wide-ranging address, Martin described agriculture and balanced regional rural development as being “at the heart” of Fianna Fáil’s policy. He said his party’s support of the confidence and supply arrangement with Fine Gael’s government was primarily because of Brexit, which had the potential to adversely affect Irish farming.
Martin pledged to oppose any trade deals that would affect Irish farmers. He described the Mercosur deal as one that “runs contrary to the climate change agenda” where “hopelessly inefficient” beef production from South America is given access to the EU’s internal market. He described the Government as not being “pro-active” in addressing the beef crisis that emerged through 2018 and early 2019. “We would try to head off any challenges,” he said.
A lengthy Q&A session meant the Fianna Fáil leader spent over 90 minutes addressing the IFA’s national and county officers. He was accompanied by agriculture spokesperson Charlie McConalogue, Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill, the former ICMSA leader, and Senator Paul Daly.
Convergence
They were pressed hard on Fianna Fáil’s policy of continuing convergence, under which farmers with higher basic payment entitlements would see annual payments cut and redistributed to those with lower payments. The higher payment recipients are typically drystrock and tillage farmers. The Fianna Fáil delegation pointed out that Brussels is set on 75% convergence under the next CAP.
Martin was more bullish where the CAP budget was concerned. He highlighted that the overall budget has actually increased, but that the percentage going to the CAP is set to shrink from 37% to 29%. He reaffirmed Fianna Fáil’s commitments regarding a €200 suckler cow payment, an ANC fund of €300m, a “farmer-friendly” agri-environmental scheme, and a food chain regulator with powers to impose fines and penalties.
The Fianna Fáil leader also pledged to enact the Fair Deal legislation early in the lifetime of the next Dáil, with €225m set aside over five years to pay the cost of the scheme for farm and small business owner families.
Climate Change
“The idea of placing all the responsibility on farmers is not acceptable,” Martin said in relation to climate change. “We must support the Teagasc carbon road map. What we do has to be evidence-based and science-based. I believe down the road there could be significant new income streams.”
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