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.