What farm and food voters want
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.
Specific tax proposals include no further increase in the carbon tax, and an earned income tax credit for the self-employed, including farmers, phased up to the same level as the PAYE tax credit over three years.
The site valuation tax/property tax must not be levied on agricultural land or buildings, says IFA, which also wants Capital Acquisition Tax thresholds which were cut 38% in the last two years maintained at current levels.
IFA also proposes that taxable income be calculated after deduction of capital allowances, and that income tax relief be provided for investments in specific dairy industry funds.
Farmland and buildings must not be included in assessing college maintenance grant eligibility, IFA is telling candidates. To meet growing demand for agricultural education, the farmers’ association calls for Teagasc to be given flexibility and funding to recruit additional specialised teaching staff , funding to be increased for beef and tillage discussion groups, and any means testing for agricultural college grants to be based on taxable income.
Election candidates are asked for a full review of all environmental regulations for farmers. IFA proposes that climate change policy cater for protection of the national livestock herd, and the projected €4bn increase in food exports.
Current technologies can only deliver a further 4% in emission reductions without harming growth, according to IFA’s submission to the political parties and Dáil candidates.
An updated charter of rights for farmers is sought, including all payments on time, within agreed deadlines.
Fewer on-farm inspections, better integration of inspections, and advance notice for all farm visits — which IFA says should take no more than half a day to complete — are among the demands.
IFA wants the next government to fight for the current EU payment model, retaining 100% of the Single Farm Payment for active farmers.
IFA says an EU-South America trade deal would severely damage Irish and European agriculture, and seeks a government commitment to oppose an unfavourable deal.
On cattle prices, a strong Brand Ireland marketing strategy at Bord Bia, full protection for the live export trade, and access to all export markets are sought.
IFA requires increased Department of Agriculture control of mechanical classification, carcase trim and weights at meat plants, and an independent appeals mechanism.
It says mechanisms for a softer landing when milk quotas go must be explored with like-minded EU member states.
Detailed and costed plans for profitable dairy expansion are called for, along with Enterprise Ireland funding for dairy processors.
Among demands made for sheep farmers is that the current minimal approach to compulsory electronic identification be continued.
The Pesticide Control Service must urgently develop an interactive web based system to allow growers draw up compliant crop spray programmes, and growers must have access to competitively priced plant protection products from other member states.
IFA wants export refunds in conjunction with the APS scheme, to lift pig prices. It wants an end to double regulation of pig farms by the EPA, department, and Bord Bia, and more practical poultry welfare provisions.
It is seen of particular importance for the seed potato sector that all vacancies in the inspectorate, research and advisory areas at Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture be filled.
On the aquaculture licensing backlog, IFA want all 513 outstanding applications processed by May, 2012.
On retail regulation, a statutory code of practice and independent supermarket ombudsman are demanded, along with immediate extension of country-of-origin labelling to lamb, pork and bacon and chicken, and that this be enforced at all food outlets. Strengthening farmer bargaining power through regulation and enhanced producer organisation support is sought.
Animal health demands include a cost effective and competitive fallen animal collection service, 100% compensation for all farm losses in the TB scheme (with 12-month test intervals where the farmer pays for TB tests), no increase in disease levies or costs, and BSE testing only for animals born before 1997.
A forest planting target of at least 10,000 hectares per year to achieve 17% forest cover by 2030 is sought, along with a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) to reward forest farmers involved in biodiversity conservation, watershed services, carbon storage and scenic landscapes.
A new agreement is sought by mid-2011 on Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).
Turf cutting on designated bogs for domestic purposes, or relocation or compensation, must be allowed.
IFA proposes a review of the Commonage Framework Plans so that farmers can increase their sheep numbers to sustainable levels. As an interim measure, the level of destocking must be halved.
Renewable energy demands include 22 cents per kWh for anaerobic digestion and biomass combined heat and power, index lined for 20 years, and double capital allowance tax relief for farm-scale wind and digestion.
A guaranteed biofuel market for Irish certificates at up to 40.92 cents per litre is sought.
IFA insists that the OPW be given full responsibility and necessary powers to carry out remedial works to alleviate flooding, and the existing river drainage boards be abolished.
It proposes that a further 40 walks be brought into the Walks Scheme in the next two years.
On health insurance, IFA says the risk equalisation scheme must be introduced immediately.
