Following the launch of Food Wise 2025 last week, IFA president Eddie Downey said that for the new agri strategy to succeed, farmers will have to be properly rewarded for their work and investment.
“The report identifies what farmers have to do, but does not place any onus on Government or other stakeholders to deliver a fair return to primary producers. This needs to be addressed if the ambitious targets are to be achieved.”
Eddie Downey identified strong funding for farm schemes that support income, farm investment, improved efficiency and agri-environmental measures as a priority in Budget 2016. “This funding is critical to the delivery of the ambitious growth targets in the new 10-year strategy.”
He said: “Food Wise 2025 targets growth in the value of primary agricultural output of 65% over the next decade, leading to agri-food exports of €19bn by 2025. This will depend on farmers increasing output of high-value, sustainably produced food, but it has to be economically viable.”
Budget funding
Eddie Downey said that in October’s budget, the Government’s funding commitment to the farming sector, through the new Rural Development Programme, will have to be delivered. This must include targeted support for the low-income cattle and sheep sectors, on-farm investment programmes, knowledge transfer across all sectors, and the reversal of funding cuts imposed on farmers in marginal areas. In addition, funding for 50,000 for the GLAS scheme in 2016 must be made available.
SHARING OPTIONS