Exclusion of Hill Farmers from Fodder Scheme Unacceptable

IFA National Hill Farming Committee Chairman Cailín Conneely said the decision by the Minister for Agriculture to exclude lands classified as Category 1 land under the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) from the fodder support scheme is totally unacceptable.

Cailín Conneely said this will exclude most hill farmers, who need support from the Minister to get through the inputs crisis.

Hill farmers who carry stock for the winter urgently need support as the exponential rise in costs is further eroding already low margins.

The Hill Committee Chairman said that all land must be utilised to produce food. 

“Beef and sheep farmers who carry stock have increased costs imposed on them due to the escalation of input costs such as fertiliser, feed and fuel.  To ensure hill farmers can afford to continue to feed their animals for the winter of 2022, all beef and sheep farmers must receive extra financial support in addition to existing payments,” he said.