IFA seeks progressive budget that supports farmers' sustainability efforts

A progressive budget that supports farmers to develop sustainably was sought yesterday by the Irish Farmers’ Association.

Launching its pre-budget submission in Dublin, Joe Healy, president, said agriculture is Ireland’s largest indigenous sector with exports valued at €13.7bn in 2018, representing 10% of overall exports and 12% of industry turnover.

He said:

Our message to Government between now and budget day is that the sustainable growth of this sector needs policies that encourage investment at farm level, recognise the role of agriculture in achieving balanced regional development, and deliver viable farm incomes

Mr Healy said the IFA’s pre-budget submission contains a range of proposals for the Government in terms of Brexit support, which is compounding the beef crisis across Europe. He warned that farmers cannot continue to bear the burden of what is a geo-political issue.

IFA Farm Business chairman, Martin Stapleton, said there is a significant need for taxation supports, in particular through investment in emissions-efficient equipment and the removal of discrimination in the tax system for the self-employed.