Live exports spark first farming policy election row
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent’s statement that live exports are an acceptable way for farmers to force beef factories to pay more for cattle price put him on a collision course with Tom Parlon of the Progressive Democrats.
Parlon pointed out that the Green Party’s stated policy is not to promote or support live exports of animals, and to reduce the dominance of the large meat factories and supermarkets and lobby for humane transport of animals, while seeking to phase out live exports over time. Parlon said Laois-Offaly Green Party candidate Ms Maria McKay has said at IFA meetings that she is against live exports.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael responded to Fianna Fáil’s “The Next Steps Forward for Farming Communities” policy launch by accusing Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan of failing to ease the farm inspection regime and reduce red tape.
The main opposition party promised advance notice of inspections, opportunities to rectify infringements before they face penalties, and an inspection code of practice.
In Government, the party would also reduce bureaucracy by 25% and create an Office of the Agriculture Ombudsman.
Fianna Fáil followed up its agriculture launch with its Environmental Sustainability policies, promising to ensure Ireland leads Europe in implementing the Water Framework Directive.
The party promised maximum support to help farmers adjust to the Directive, which is likely to make even greater demands than the Nitrates Directive, because it includes estuarine and coastal waters, only 40% of which are classified unpolluted by the EPA.
Environment Minister Dick Roche said Fianna Fáil would move agriculture to a dual system of food and power production; work with farmers on plans to protect valuable conservation areas; and protect threatened species and reintroduce species which have disappeared, on an all-Ireland basis.
IFA has supplied its regional representatives with a detailed guide on how to lobby election candidates.
The 16 page outline covers IFA concerns such as red tape in farm schemes, WTO and EU negotiations, the food industry, family and social policies, environment and renewable energy, and rural sustainability and development.
IFA also wants more rural gardai, nationwide flood management, the rural post office network maintained, abolition of development charges for farm buildings erected to comply with environmental legislation, revision of water charges, and PRSI changes for farmers’ spouses.
