Farmers reeling as Budget axes core schemes

Farmers are reeling following cuts announced in yesterday’s budget to the Suckler Cow Scheme, the Sheep Grassland Management payment, and the non-renewal of the stamp duty relief on land transfers for young, trained farmers.

IFA president, John Bryan, said the cuts to schemes, and the extra taxes and PRSI changes, would hit farmers hard and would place further pressure on families whose incomes have dropped 22% this year.

Mr Bryan said: “Suckler and sheep farmers have an average income of €14,000, and some of them will be forced out of business, or onto Farm Assist, by the minister’s decision to effectively close the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme and cut the sheep grassland payment.”