Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has been called on to reverse payment cuts to the national beef and sheep welfare schemes by Sinn Féin’s Deputy Martin Kenny.
The Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture said that the news, which was revealed in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal, that the Department of Agriculture is going to cut the payment rates in the schemes comes as a complete shock to farmers.
“Before the budget, farm organisations were concerned that there could be cuts to these schemes in order to pay for the Minister's new TB plan.
“These concerns were alleviated when it was announced that there would be no change to the schemes in the budget.
"Now it appears the Minister has changed his mind, as he claims he doesn’t have enough money to cover the schemes,” Deputy Kenny said.
“One would wonder what is going on in the Department of Agriculture. Why did they not know the scheme was oversubscribed before the budget was announced?"
Promise
“The Minister promised to maintain payment rates in the budget and he should follow through on his promises now,” he said.
Deputy Kenny said it is a failure by the Minister and his Department and it is farmers who have to pay the price.
The National Beef Welfare Scheme will pay €67/calf as opposed to the €75 announced last year, while the National Sheep Welfare Scheme payment has been reduced to €11.50/ewe from €13.
Read more
Payment cuts to beef and sheep schemes
Payment rate cuts to sheep and beef schemes ‘unfair’ - ICSA
Minister must find funds to stop €6m in drystock payment cuts – IFA
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has been called on to reverse payment cuts to the national beef and sheep welfare schemes by Sinn Féin’s Deputy Martin Kenny.
The Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture said that the news, which was revealed in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal, that the Department of Agriculture is going to cut the payment rates in the schemes comes as a complete shock to farmers.
“Before the budget, farm organisations were concerned that there could be cuts to these schemes in order to pay for the Minister's new TB plan.
“These concerns were alleviated when it was announced that there would be no change to the schemes in the budget.
"Now it appears the Minister has changed his mind, as he claims he doesn’t have enough money to cover the schemes,” Deputy Kenny said.
“One would wonder what is going on in the Department of Agriculture. Why did they not know the scheme was oversubscribed before the budget was announced?"
Promise
“The Minister promised to maintain payment rates in the budget and he should follow through on his promises now,” he said.
Deputy Kenny said it is a failure by the Minister and his Department and it is farmers who have to pay the price.
The National Beef Welfare Scheme will pay €67/calf as opposed to the €75 announced last year, while the National Sheep Welfare Scheme payment has been reduced to €11.50/ewe from €13.
Read more
Payment cuts to beef and sheep schemes
Payment rate cuts to sheep and beef schemes ‘unfair’ - ICSA
Minister must find funds to stop €6m in drystock payment cuts – IFA
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