Macra makes pre-Budget requests

The reintroduction of roll-over relief and improving tax incentives for long-term land leasing head up the demands of Macra na Feirme’s pre-Budget submission.

National president Thomas Honner said Macra is placing major emphasis on a number of issues to address the structural imbalance in Irish agriculture.

The abolition of the roll-over relief in last year’s Budget was a severe blow to young farmers trying to consolidate their holdings.

He said the relief allowed young farmers to consolidate holdings and make them more efficient.

“This incentive is now gone and we are calling on the Government to reintroduce the relief in this year’s budget,” he said.

Mr Honner said Macra is also seeking tax relief on lands leased long-term to young farmers. Currently, farmers over 55 years of age are eligible for a tax relief when leasing lands.

Macra wants the scheme extended to encourage farmers exiting the industry to lease their land long-term to young farmers. “The reality is farmers will need to expand if they want to stay in the industry.

“We must encourage farmers who are not committed to farming to release land to those who want to farm it commercially,” he said.

Mr Honner said he is seeking a meeting with Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh to raise the issues critically important to young farmers.