IFA Rural Development Chair John Curran has called on the Department to pull out all the stops to ensure all outstanding ACRES payments are paid out as a matter of priority.
“Close on one-in four ACRES participants are still waiting on their advance 2024 ACRES payments, with some too having only received interim payments in February/March last,” John Curran said.
“The Department committed that ACRES payments would commence again end January. This has to be delivered upon, and not just for a select few, but the vast vast majority of those waiting on ACRES payments. Anything less just isn’t good enough at this stage,” he said.
“I mean, the scheme is nearly half over at this stage. Farmers cannot be expected to simply hold tough until issues on the Department side are sorted out. We live and work in the real world. What kind of business could be expected to survive with that sort of uncertainty. We need a resolution and payments here, not excuses. Payments need to land sooner rather than later,” he added.
IFA Hill Farming Chair Caillin Conneely said that there are thousands of farmers across the country battling and dealing with the aftermath of last week’s winds, and the unforeseen additional costs that it will bring.
“Many farmers have had farm buildings, fences and/or hedgerows damaged, and there is still a large number without power even still and are relying on generators, where available, to keep the show on the road. Farmers need money in their pockets now, not whenever the Department get around to getting their ship in order,” Caillin Conneely said.
“The Department and Local Authorities also need to demonstrate their support for impacted farmers by stopping on-the-ground inspections for a period of time to allow farmers assess and repair whatever damage has occurred without fear of an on-farm inspection.”
“With regard ACRES, this includes flexibility around any winds caused damage to contracted ACRES measures, including for example hedging. Additional flexibility and support will be required on all fronts,” he said.
“We are dealing with unprecedented damage here and all we ask for is support and a degree of understanding for the challenges many are enduring currently,” he concluded.
