O’Malley: Farmers must get fairer share of price

CLAWING back of the farmer’s share of the retail price, which has been eroded over the years, is central in the electoral campaign of Co Louth farmer Raymond O’Malley.

“I will launch a crusade to Brussels to lift the consumer blindfold, and expose the truth about the price and quality of food in Irish and EU shops”, declares the Ardee man, who aims to deliver 40% of the consumer price to the farmer, which would represent an increase of one third on current produce prices.

The Regional Vice-President of IFA says, “As farmers, we must fight for the right to a minimum price for our produce in the same way as other sectors have legislative rights to a minimum price for their labour. On average, farmers currently receive less than 30% of the consumer price.” He blames “the abuse of primary producers by the multinationals.” O’Malley also wants the cost of inputs tackled and anomalies eliminated. “It does not make sense that my daughter who farms in the US can purchase a routine veterinary treatment for the equivalent of €0.91, while the same treatment in this country will cost me €8.50.”

He claims, “Farming is sinking under the crippling weight of the cost of regulation”, which he estimates will reach €1.37 billion per annum within two years - more than the Single Payment, which is worth €1.3 billion - after an additional €80 million is added for POM regulations, and €300 million for the Nitrates Directive. He promises farmers a new source of income from biofuels, saying Irish farms can produce fuel for 250,000 vehicles, and cut the ESB’s oil import bill by half. He assures farmers that biofuel, biomass, wind energy, and anaerobic digestion can slash national energy costs, and provide real increases in incomes for farmers.

He quotes an MRBI survey which he commissioned, which found that 87% of farmers want a president with proven leadership ability, and 84% want a president who will represent them well in the media. A similar percentage want a “business minded” president, and 81% want a president who is experienced in a crisis. “I believe that I have shown to farmers that I have all of these qualities, and in return for your vote I will make a real difference for farmers” he tells the IFA electorate.