McConalogue defends agriculture's budget following reduction
The Department of Agriculture, Food, and Marine was allocated €1.94bn in Tuesday's budget — down from the €2.14bn allocated last year. Photo: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue played down accusations that the budget did little for farmers saying there is “unprecedented funding” in place to support farm families.
During the budget announcement on Tuesday, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe allocated €1.94bn to the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine which is down from the €2.14bn allocated last year. This is largely due to the discontinuation of the Brexit Reserve Fund which had €240m in funding.
Various farming associations criticised this budget allocation calling it a “nothing burger” for farmers and lambasting the overall reduction the department received.
Speaking to reporters, Mr McConalogue defended his department’s budget saying there are schemes rolling out this year and next which will provide “unprecedented funding” to support farm families. “We're continuing to roll that out over the course of this year and they will be in place for five years,” he said.
Mr McConalogue pointed out that the department is in the process of rolling out the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023-2027 which he said contains a 50% increase in funding.
The CSP aims to underpin the sustainable development of Ireland’s farming and food sector. A budget of approximately €9.8 billion is allocated for the period.
Mr McConalogue also pointed out that there is over €100m in supports for the beef and sheep sector with beef farmers retaining the €200 per cow support while the support for ewe’s will increase from €12 to €20 per ewe. "Next year, we will have the highest ever payment for sheep farmers, a very important sector,” said Mr McConologue.
The department’s budget also contains €700m to support farmers in their efforts to adapt to climate change and emissions targets. However, Mr McConalogue said there has been no allocation for dairy herd reduction schemes in this budget.
Last month, farmers protested outside the Department of Agriculture over changes to nitrates loading rules by the EU. The rules mean that farmers must have sufficient land on which to spread the manure from their herds currently limited to €170kg/ha.
Ireland had a derogation from this — set under more rigorous conditions — which allowed farmers to spread 250kg/ha. However, this is due to reduce to 220kg/ha on January 1, 2024, in certain areas following a decision by the EU.
On this issue, Mr McConalogue said the limit of 170kg/ha is being exceeded in about 10% of land so there is “potential” to be more efficient.
He said they want to encourage farmers who are in a position to take these nutrients from other farmers to do so and if it is not spread immediately to store them. To that end, the department is changing the grant system which would allow farmers to apply for funding for slurry storage without impacting their capacity to apply for other investment grants.
