IFA President To Meet Taoiseach and Tánaiste – IFA

IFA President Francie Gorman will meet separately with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste today to discuss immediate and medium-term farming priorities.  

The Budget will be delivered in three weeks’ time and IFA has a suite of specific proposals that we want the Government to implement.” 

Mr. Gorman called the meetings an opportunity to highlight significant pressures on farm families and discuss the 57% drop that was recorded in farm family incomes over the last 12 months. He said focus needs to be put on supporting agriculture’s most vulnerable sectors. “They face the biggest challenge in trying to reach viability. We have targeted proposals that would add to existing supports,” he said. 

Francie Gorman said the plans to exempt farmers from the Residential Zoned Land Tax would also be part of the discussion as well as encouraging new entrants to the agricultural sector and incentives that may help the industry meet its climate targets. “In the medium term, the retention of the Nitrates derogation is a priority, and we will discuss the visit of EU Commission officials next week. We will want to see a united show of strength by the Government parties in making the case to the Commission for its retention,” he said. 

In relation to the next Common Agricultural Policy, he emphasised the need for the Government to begin groundwork to ensure recognition of the attributes of Irish Farming.  

“Once the new EU Commission is in place, we expect the Government to make an early intervention in the debate and leave an imprint on the proposals,” he said. 

Finally, the IFA President said that the Pre – Budget campaign would continue nationwide until October 1st.