IFA urges Government to reverse disproportionate agriculture cuts

The IFA has called upon the Government to reverse the trend of disproportionate cuts to farm schemes relative to cutbacks in other departments.

IFA president John Bryan noted that total funding for agriculture has been cut by 41.2% since 2008, versus an average reduction across all government departments of 12.6%. He was speaking at IFA’s pre-budget lobbying session of Oireachtas members yesterday.

Mr Bryan said: “Despite a difficult economic environment in our main export markets, there has been an increase in food exports of 8% during the first half of 2013 and jobs in the sector have also increased. This comes at a time when Ireland is experiencing a general fall in manufacturing exports”.

The IFA argues that primary agriculture underpins Ireland’s growth in food exports, delivering a high-quality, sustainable raw material.

IFA farm business chairman, Tom Doyle, said the Government must retain taxation measures that improve competitiveness and encourage investment and restructuring in farming.

“In particular, the retention of the 90% agricultural relief and capital acquisitions tax thresholds and the extension of long-term leasing incentives are crucial for land mobility,” said Mr Doyle. “We also need to see the removal of anomalies in the income tax system that discriminates against the self-employed. Any increase in PRSI must be voluntary.”