What farm and food voters want

IFA wants adequate funding for vital farm schemes during the next government’s lifetime — REPS/AEOS, disadvantaged areas, suckler cow welfare, sheep grassland, on-farm investment and farm forestry premia and grants.

It says farmers locked out of the Farm Improvement Scheme must be accommodated through savings in CAP rural development.

Restoration of the early retirement and installation aid schemes is demanded. IFA proposes that taxation measures improve competitiveness in agriculture, encourage investment in capital and stock, promote land transfer and mobility, and do not discriminate against farmers.