IFA and IGG Statement After Meeting with Minister McConalogue

IFA and IGG met with the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue in Gurteen Agriculture College this morning.

The delegation made it clear to the Minister that his decision to suspend the straw chopping scheme was totally unacceptable and that it must be overturned immediately.

The Minister offered a follow up meeting next week, but the delegation was adamant that next week was too late and that he needed to resolve the matter urgently.

IFA and IGG made it clear that the Minister must meet with us again tomorrow or over the weekend. This remains our position.

Both the IFA and IGG were clear this decision will not be accepted and that the Minister must revisit his decision.

This decision flies in the face of the Food Vision Tillage report, the discussion at last week’s Fodder and Food Security Committee and the recently agreed Farmers’ Charter.

Farmers made decisions to plant crops based on a scheme announced by the Minister. He is now withdrawing the scheme after the harvest has started.

If the Minister can do this to tillage farmers, he can do it to any farmer at the stroke of a pen. It will not be accepted.