Aidan Brennan on dairy

Dairy farmers will see Budget 2019 as a non-event. Other than minor changes to income tax credits and a loosening of the rules around income averaging, there was nothing for the sector to take away from this budget. The biggest disappointment will be in relation to the proposal for a deposit fund, where farmers can deposit money tax-free in a good year and draw it back out in a bad year.

The idea behind this proposal was to smooth incomes over time and reduce the effect of price and weather volatility. With the sector reeling after a very difficult year, farmers will be disappointed with the lack of action in this budget.

Adam Woods on beef

Budget 2019 will go down as a fair budget for the drystock sector. An increase in ANC payments will have a direct impact on incomes on drystock farms in disadvantaged areas across the country. The €40/cow payment, while a long way off what is required to underpin the sector, is a signal that the Government recognises the need for support for the suckler cow. It was the only sector singled out for support.

Other increases in Bord Bia funding and helping SMEs Brexit proof themselves will also have indirect benefits to the drystock sector.

Darren Carty on sheep

Farm organisations lobbied for support for a top-up on payments in the Sheep Welfare Scheme and an increase in the ANC budget.

The latter was achieved and it should benefit the sheep sector with a greater percentage of lands falling under ANC designation. The extent to which farmers will benefit will depend on the Government’s decision to increase the area eligible for payment or whether it will follow a previous model of increased payment rates, which if followed would leave sheep farmers in a better position.

Andy Doyle on tillage

There were no specific measures relating to tillage farmers in this budget. There may be some small benefits arising from USC and tax changes.

The increase in tax on diesel vehicles may bite at some point. The continuation of TAMS must be welcomed as there is likely to be more potential for investment following the improved harvest prices this harvest.

The subsequent debate around the imposition of higher carbon taxes is worrying for the future, however.