Groups unite in opposition to warn Government against budget cuts

MAINTAINING farming’s existing funding levels and rectifying the sector’s age imbalance are two critical positions that must be supported by the imminent budget, warn farmer groups.

IFA rural development chairman Tom Turley warned Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney farmers on low incomes will not tolerate any cuts in vital farm schemes, particularly Disadvantaged Areas payments or REPS 4 payments.

Farmers in disadvantaged areas are dependent on direct payments, he said. The 2010 Teagasc National Farm Survey shows that disadvantaged areas and REPS payments made up 67% and 50% of cattle rearing and sheep farmer incomes respectively.

Mr Turley said 37,000 farmers lost out on €1,000 in the 2008 budget, when cuts hit those dependent on farming and farmers in hill areas.

On REPS 4, Mr Turley reminded Mr Coveney that payments were cut by 17% in 2009. Farmers in REPS have undertaken measures and incurred compliance costs which have to be recouped over the five years of the environmental plan.

“Any attempts by Minister Coveney to cut payments will be seen as a breach of contract by the Government and the EU,” said Mr Turley.

“Minister Coveney must ensure that all payments due under REPS/AEOS are fully paid in 2011. This will take pressure off next year’s budget. The minister must also have an AEOS scheme available for those farmers who have left REPS 3.”

Meanwhile, Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association vice-president Edmond Phelan warned that the age profile of Irish farmers is not conducive to productive farming.

He said the budget should allow for steps to encourage the next generations into farming. Only 7% of Irish farmers are under 35. with 25% of farmers in the country already over the age of 70.

He said targets set out in the Food Harvest 2020 report requiring Irish agri-food exports to grow from €8 billion to €13bn by 2020 would not be met without a rejuvenation in the sector.

Mr Phelan said: “This can only be achieved with an able and committed workforce. Unless measures are taken to open doors for younger, more vibrant farmers to own land and run successful businesses then by 2020 we will a very aged population of farmers who will not have achieved the targets for expansion.”

He continued: “We are in an exciting period in the agri-food sector but more young farmers need to be given every opportunity to enter the workforce and there is a huge onus on the Government to ensure that farming isn’t confined to being a professional for the older generations.”