IFA President to Meet Taoiseach & Tánaiste
IFA President Francie Gorman will meet with Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin separately today to discuss key farming priorities in the immediate and medium term.
“The Budget will be delivered in three weeks’ time and IFA has a suite of specific proposals that we want the Government to implement.”
Francie Gorman said the meetings will be an opportunity to discuss the significant pressures on farm families because of the massive 57% drop in farm incomes over the last 12 months.
The IFA President said there was a particular focus on the need to support our vulnerable sectors.
“They face the biggest challenge in trying to reach viability. We have targeted proposals that would add to existing supports,” he said.
The IFA President said he would also be discussing the plans to exempt farmers from the RZLT and the range of incentives and reliefs that could help the sector to reach its climate targets and encourage new entrants.
“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.
Francie Gorman said ahead of discussions on the next CAP, the Government must begin the groundwork to secure an outcome that recognises 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.
Concluding, the IFA President said the pre-Budget campaign will continue around the country between now and October 1st.
