Farmers take double hit from oil prices

Ireland: Soaring oil prices, which have already affected farmers directly, are now beginning to impact indirectly through damaging the competitiveness of the Irish food sector, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association warned yesterday.

President Pat O’Rourke said there should be an excise rebate on white diesel, through the VAT system, to those who are registered for the tax.

This would help improve the competitiveness of industry while an increase in the flat rate VAT rebate to farmers would help to cover the huge increases in farming costs due to the rising fuel prices.