ICSA seeks viable markets and 5% shift of land from livestock

A clear focus on producing only what there are viable markets for is one of the four main election demands of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association.

To achieve this, it suggests moving 5% of land away from livestock, by paying better supports for land use such as forestry and energy crops; it opposes supports leading to higher production, like an EU-wide coupled ewe payment.

It is telling election candidates to create a regulatory environment and a public support regime that’s fair to all farmers; to do everything possible to get a fair share of profits for farmers; to put live exports at the top of the agenda, and provide a regulatory environment and a public support regime that’s fair to all farmers.

In rural development, ICSA wants a programme to deliver money to farmers, not professionals; and reversal of disadvantaged area payment cuts. It says unfair LPIS overclaim penalties on disadvantaged farmers with marginal land is a key election issue.

It opposes right-to-roam, and all CPOs for non-essential infrastructure or tourism projects, and tells canvassers farmers are being wrongly targeted on emissions.

It looks for higher inheritance tax thresholds, and the full earned income tax credit (€1,650) for self-employed, with abolition of the USC.