Guarded welcome for agri plans in Govt. programme

FRANCIS FARRAGHER looks at different aspects of what’s proposed for agriculture in the FF, FG and Green Party Programme for Government.

WEST of Ireland farm leaders have given a guarded welcome to the agri-rural section of the Programme for Government agreed this week by Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party.

The retention of the Nitrates Derogation; no restrictions on live exports; and a new REPS style environmental scheme have been welcomed by the IFA.

However, farm leaders have cautioned that the implementation of the programme for the agri-rural sector will be monitored closely to ensure that pledges made are followed through.

Galway IFA Chairperson, Pat Murphy, told the Farming Tribune that the new environmental scheme should be very good news for the West of Ireland on the presumtion that it would be low on red-tape while at the same time delivering a meaningful financial reward.

“We all know that the environment and environmental issues are the future and farmers are more than willing to play their part in this whole process.

“Farmers are enthusiastic about making positive contributions on environmental matters but the paperwork must be kept to a minimum while the financial compensation must be realistic in terms of making their enterprises viable,” said Pat Murphy.

He also said that the commitment to set up an independent appeals procedure for farmers who had faced penalties under the various schemes was to be welcomed. “The current appeals system is totally unfair and had to change,” said Pat Murphy.

He also said that there was a sense of relief that there was nothing in the Programme for Government as regards getting rid of the Nitrates Derogation and the live export of Irish cattle.

“The Nitrates Derogation is an essential for dairy farmers. If it was got rid of, it would have implications in terms of dairy farmers having to acquire more land to supply their feed needs, making land more expensive either to buy or rent,” said Pat Murphy.

He said that the IFA had lobbied intensively on issues like the environmental scheme, the Nitrates Directive and live exports over recent weeks, adding that their work had ‘paid off’.

“The push will be continuing to deliver a better Sheep Welfare and Suckler Cow scheme. We are still seeking a payment of €300 per suckler cow and €30 per ewe from the new Government.

“Suckler cow farmers along the Western Seaboard counties are the basis of the Irish beef industry producing the quality cattle that backbone the whole industry.

“What seems to have emerged from the Programme for Government is a first step along the way in what we are trying to achieve. The pledges are there but now, over the coming months, it’s action we need,” said Pat Murphy.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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