Farmers’ incomes face ‘significant’ drop

DAIRY farmer Tom Wilson says carbon tax and VAT increases will add to fuel, animal feed and building costs, significantly reducing future farm incomes.

Based in Enniskeane, Co Cork, Mr Wilson is also opposed to the new flat €100 tax on every Irish home, due to rise to €200 in 2012.

“That tax is not even-handed,” said Tom Wilson. “A person with a 2,500 sq ft house is paying the same as someone with a 12,500 sq ft house. Why should someone with a small house pay the same as someone with a big house? The tax should be based on house size. Farm families with two houses on one farm are already being hit twice by this tax.