IFA clash over Partnership
Limerick IFA chairman Michael O'Flynn became embroiled in a verbal exchange with the President of the Association when John Dillon returned to his home county as guest speaker at the Annual General Meeting of Limerick IFA.
In a blistering attack on IFA support for Sustaining Progress, O'Flynn said farmers were not prepared to take any more from a Government who had lured them into the agreement, but hadn't delivered on commitments.
He called for IFA to walk out now.
Limerick IFA Executive had initially opposed the national partnership, but eventually reluctantly agreed to IFA's involvement.
Mr O'Flynn told the meeting, "What the Government is doing to us in the Nitrates Directive is nothing less than a slur to Irish agriculture. When we signed into the national agreement, we were given a guarantee by the Government that they were going to go for a 250kg per hectare Nitrate Directive."
"What were we told in Killarney by Tom Parlon, a former president of the IFA? He said that the Government is going to Europe with 170kg/ha under the Nitrate Directive, that's 1.3 acres per cow. That says to me that the Government does not give a continental damn about the farming community."
"We were hauled into this agreement under false pretences. I say to our President that if 170kg/ha is what the Government sends to Brussels, it is time that we as farmers walk away from the partnership agreement, because we have got nothing from it. We are still waiting for REPS 3. It was supposed to come in last June, then November, then January, then April and it is still not here and will not be here sooner than next July or August."
"How much more are we going to take before we get up and say enough is enough", he demanded.
In his defence of IFA policy, John Dillon said, "We have the Farm Waste Management scheme in place and we have the Dairy Hygiene Scheme in place and the REPS is on the way. We have made progress on the nitrates issue which we would not have if we were not in there. If we walk away, we are giving away our agreement and we can take what we get, with out tail between our legs".
"Do we want to walk away and start shouting in at them, with no discussions taking place. Is that what you want us to do".
Michael O'Flynn warned that the Nitrate Directive will put the nail in the coffin of the farmer who is trying to expand.
"Where are we going with 170 kg per hectare, which restricts us to a cow to 1.3 acres."
"While the Dairy Hygiene grants are in place and are welcomed, with the stipulations they have attached to the scheme, I seriously question if the grant is worth it".
"As far as the Farm Waste Management goes, you will give Teagasc €800 for your tank."
John Dillon replied, "I won't give Teagasc €800 for my tank. As far as the Nitrate Directive is concerned, I am saying to you, Chairman, to Limerick farmers and farmers everywhere, that we are looking for 210kg per hectare, and we are sticking to that with no second options".
A number of farmers attending the meeting became involved in the lively discussion, and demanded that the organisation ensure delivery on the Sustaining Progress agreement of a 170kg per hectare Nitrates Directive.
The meeting was also attended by a number of public representatives, but there was no representative from the Government parties present.
