IFA Meet Taoiseach Simon Harris on Key Farming Priorities

IFA President Francie Gorman met Taoiseach Simon Harris on the Farrell family farm in Gowran, Co Kilkenny today to discuss a range of issues impacting farming at the moment.

He said it was a constructive engagement that covered immediate priorities such as the impact of the weather on farms; increased support for the tillage sector; the Nitrates derogation; Ash dieback; the Residential Zoned Land Tax; and the burden of excessive regulation on farming.

“The Taoiseach had a good grasp of the issues confronting farmers at the moment. We made it clear that we expect immediate delivery for farmers to improve incomes. This will be a test of the Government’s commitment to farming,” he said.

The IFA President said today’s meeting was also an opportunity to present our Election Manifesto for the European Parliament and local government elections.

“We raised our four key EU issues: CAP funding; over regulation; retention of the Nitrates derogation; and environmental regulations. These all impact on the bottom line for farmers,” he said.

Francie Gorman said the Taoiseach committed to leading a national effort to retain the Nitrates derogation.

“This is such a serious issue that we will require a national campaign to make our case to the European Commission. It was important to hear the Taoiseach pledge to leading this effort,” he concluded.