15 Nov 2012, 17:15
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine today heard calls from key farm organisations for current levels of funding for farm schemes to be retained.
15 November 2012
The Irish Farmers’ Association and the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association pointed to the difficult year farmers have had to endure, attributable to dreadful weather and falling prices in some farm commodities. The meeting was part of a series of hearings on pre-budget submissions from the main farming organisations.
Chairman of the Committee Andrew Doyle TD says: “We thank both the IFA and ICSA representatives for thorough and forthright presentations, which pointed to the link between Ireland’s thriving food industry and support for farmers. There were strong calls for the ring-fencing of funding for farm schemes. The Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme for instance is a vital support for many farmers and has made a huge contribution to advancing the export led beef industry. Such schemes are therefore a cost-effective tool in safeguarding rural employment levels in enhancing the sustainability of family farms.
“The Committee takes on board the calls for taxation measures that support restructuring, farm investment and land mobility. The fragmented nature of Irish farms curtails somewhat the ability of the industry to produce efficiently. Given the impact of rising fuel on farm production, the Committee also heard calls for the carbon tax to be suspended.\"
“While it is generally agreed that the imbalances in the public finances need to be corrected, Committee Members expressed concern around the proposed reduction in the Department of Agriculture budget of €114 million. Our Committee is committed to exploring how the impact of the adjustments, particularly on low income farmers, can be minimised. Transcripts of this series of deliberations with farm organisations will be forwarded to the Department, with a view to feeding into the budgetary discussions of the Minister and his officials.”
Macra na Feirme are scheduled to address the Committee next Tuesday 20 November on their pre-Budget submission.
Ends
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Membership
Deputies:
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Pat Deering, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Martin Ferris, Sinn Féin
Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael (Chairman)
Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
Colm Keaveney, Labour
Michael McNamara, Labour
Eamon Ó Cuiv, Fianna Fáil
Thomas Pringle, Independent
Senators:
Michael Comiskey, Fine Gael
Paschal Mooney, Fianna Fáil
Pat O’Neill, Fine Gael
Mary Ann O’Brien, Independent
Brian Ó Domhnaill, Fianna Fáil
Susan O’Keeffe, Labour