Policies must protect family farms, says IFA
Addressing the IFA’s AGM in Dublin, Mr Downey outlined10 policies IFA members believe are needed to safeguard the future of family farming. These began with the immediate implementation of the new farm schemes, with the early opening of GLAS, with all applicants accepted, and a substantial payment made in 2015. The IFA also wants a reversal of cuts to farmers in disadvantaged areas.
“Product prices have risen, but by nowhere near enough to offset the rise in input costs and cuts to direct payments in particular, while the constant downward pressure by retailers on our returns is impacting hard,” said Mr Downey.
“Farmers are exposed to severe volatility in prices, inputs and extreme weather events — all of which present a major challenge to the viability of family farms and the security of the world’s food supply.”
The IFA president also called upon the Government to deliver its 46% co-financing commitment, with funding of €550m per year between now and 2020 for the rural development schemes. These include schemes like ANCs, GLAS, TAMS, Beef Genomics and Knowledge Transfer.
The IFA also wants the State to back a Bord Bia and Irish Dairy Board marketing and branding strategy to deliver a price premium for Irish produce.
“We also want stronger regulation of retailers at home and at EU level, to give a fairer share out of the consumer price,” he said. “This must include a ban on below-cost selling, and a supermarkets’ ombudsman to enforce fair play.”
The farmers’ group said Teagasc and other agencies must do more to help farmers. The IFA said co-ops and merchants must also work harder to improve processing efficiency and cut input costs, while our banks must provide access to credit at keener interest rates.
It wants a farmers rights charter to cut costly administration, and innovative taxation measures to support investment, farm transfers, restructuring and new entrants.
Mr Downey said restoring farm profitability needs action by Dublin, Brussels and the industry to face the hard issues.
