Agriculture spending cuts must be directed away from smaller farmers

ANY cuts to agriculture spending must be directed away from smaller farmers and should be informed by a vision for the future shape of rural Ireland, according to the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association.

IOFGA said it believes the growing economic consequences of climate change, peak oil and environmental regulation will make both smaller holdings and organic farming more and more viable in the future.

“Government policy should aim to work with these broader global trends to ensure a vibrant rural economy in the coming years.

“In this respect, cutbacks to environmental schemes like REPS and to supports for the organic sector seem particularly unwise.”

IOFGA said the potential role of agriculture in the economy should be taken into account in assessing how much of the burden of cutbacks the sector should bear.

Agriculture can play an important role in rebalancing the economy away from an excessive dependence on multinational investment and the property sector.

It said the current proposals in the McCarthy report for a reduction in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and the Disadvantaged Area Scheme will result in a serious loss of income for many smaller farmers with low incomes.

“If savings are required from the sector they could perhaps be achieved by capping the amount that any individual farmer can receive under the single farm payment at say €50,000 and redistributing the money saved to support the current REPS scheme,” it said.

IOFGA chairwoman Kate Carmody said the current economic crisis provides a real opportunity to develop a new vision for agriculture in Ireland.

“We must rebalance our economy in a more sustainable way and agriculture can play a key role in particular by focusing on areas of growing consumer demand such as organics,” she said.

Ms Carmody warned the current plan to cut REPS will result in a serious loss of income for many smaller farmers with low incomes.

IOFGA represents about 1,000 farmers, growers and processors. It certifies the organic provenance of its members’ produce. Its symbol indicates that a product has met the highest standard or organic integrity.