IFA rural development chair Joe Brady has insisted that Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed must prioritise the provision of an additional €25m for the areas of natural constraint (ANC) scheme in the 2018 budget.

Brady was speaking following a meeting of the national rural development committee, where the need to commence the reversal of 2009 cuts to the scheme was emphasised. The IFA secured a commitment to provide an additional €25m for the ANC scheme in the Programme for Government, and expects the minister to ensure this is delivered.

Brady said the increased allocation is not tied to the review of the scheme, which is now likely to be deferred.

The IFA received confirmation of this from the European Commission at a recent meeting at which it was outlined that a proposal to increase ANC payments can be made to Brussels later this year as part of the annual amendment to the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme.

“With the possible deferral of the ANC review until 2019 as a result of the recent Farm Council meeting, the commitment to increase payments in 2018 must still be fully honoured by the Government,” Brady said.

At the recent meeting with the European Commission, the rural development chair pointed out the importance of the ANC scheme, and the significant support it offers to the incomes of farmers on poorer land types.

Brady told the Commission that payment rates must reflect the natural handicap of land. He said any deferral of the review until 2019 must not deflect from the clear message at all of the IFA’s meetings as part of its ANC campaign over the past number of months:

  • Cuts imposed in 2009 have to be fully restored to bring the overall allocation to €250m.
  • All areas currently designated as ANC must be protected in the review.
  • Payment rates need to increase and reflect the natural handicap of the land.

    • Funding for the ANC scheme will be a key element of the IFA 2018 pre-budget submission.