Farmers vent anger over cuts in agriculture
Irish Farmers’ Association president Padraig Walshe, who presided, said at the outset that the focus of the meeting was about sheep but accepted that members would want to raise other issues with the minister.
Mr Walshe said he had never witnessed such anger and frustration as he had at regional IFA organised meetings being held countrywide on the budget cuts.
“The cuts are unacceptable,” he said, adding to loud cheers that these must be revisited by the Government.
However, Mr Smith said this year’s budget was prepared against the most difficult economic backdrop in a generation.
The economic circumstances demanded that the Government take decisive corrective action, provide clear economic leadership and ensure responsibility in the public finances.
“Given those circumstances and the choices I had to make, I wasn’t able to do some of the things I might otherwise like to have done and equally making some choices that I would prefer not to have to make.
“However, not alone I and my Government colleagues, but all of us have to recognise the new economic and political realities.
“This is a very difficult economic period and the duration of the period will be influenced by the strength of the Government’s response and resolve,” he said.
Regarding sheep, Mr Walshe told the minister the future of the sector in Ireland is dependent on securing a new €30 per ewe sheep maintenance payment as part of the Common Agricultural Policy Health Check negotiations.
He said Mr Smith must lead the case for the new EU Sheep Maintenance payment at the crucial November Farm Council meeting in Brussels.
“I am calling on the minister to join forces with the French Government and his counterpart Michel Barnier who has made it clear he will deliver for French sheep farmers in the health check,” he said.
Mr Walshe said the French presidency and the European Parliament through the Aylward Report have cleared the way for much needed additional EU support for sheep farmers.
IFA Sheep Committee chairman Henry Burns said with ewe numbers down by another 240,000 head in the last year to 2.7m, urgent Government and EU action is required to reverse the decline and restore economic viability at farm level.
In response, Mr Smith said that he was confident the CAP Health Check offers a real opportunity to pursue the needs of the sector and he intends to work closely with the French presidency and Mr Barnier in particular.
Mr Smith, who was sharply criticised by speakers from the floor regarding the difficulties facing sheep farmers, said urgent action is needed and he trusted that they could all work together in the common aim of advancing the future of the sector.
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