‘Rural needs have not been met’

The Irish Farmers’ Association gave the thumbs up to budget measures aimed at encouraging land leasing, but opposition parties and lobby groups claim the Government had failed rural communities.

IFA president Eddie Downey welcomed the Government’s agri-taxation review, and said many of the budget adjustments reflect submissions made by his organisation. He said changes would help land mobility and structural reform within the sector.

“The enhancement of measures to encourage land leasing and farm consolidation are positive, as is the extension of income averaging from three to five years. The increase in the flat rate Vat refund to 5.2% reflects higher input costs on farms,” he said.

However, the Environmental Pillar, an association of a number of environmental groups, said increases in productivity must not come at the cost of Ireland’s biodiversity and ecosystems.

“Although the value of these ecosystem services is vital to agriculture, they are often under-appreciated. It is important that an increase in agricultural productivity does not lead to loss of wildlife, nutrient run-off, sedimentation of waterways and an increase in carbon emissions,” said the group’s Cillian Lohan.

Irish Rural Link (IRL), a representative body for nearly 500 rural community groups, said rural Ireland was forgotten in the budget.

Its CEO Seamus Boland claimed: “In the attempt to lift all boats, the rural boat is still anchored.”

While he cautiously welcomed some of the measures introduced for farmers, Mr Boland said there didn’t appear to be any attempt to tackle rural unemployment, revitalise rural towns and villages or support rural transport.

Galway-based senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh said the budget neglected the Gaeltacht: “Although some changes to the agriculture budget to encourage young farmers to come in to the sector are welcome, we have seen no positive moves in relation to Farm Assist or to replace REPS payments.”