Farm Families Need Support in October’s Budget
Speaking at the Virginia Show today, IFA President Francie Gorman said Budget ’25 is an opportunity to support farm families that the Government must grasp.
“The Budget is less than seven weeks away and our campaign continues across the country. We will be setting out our priorities in Virginia today to politicians in attendance. The key message is that farmers are faced with multiple threats to their viability,” he said.
The IFA President said a combination of excessive costs and squeezed margins requires additional targeted support in the October budget.
“The National Farm Survey released by Teagasc last month provides all the evidence that’s needed for the Government. No sector is immune from the vice grip of escalating costs; greater regulations; and price volatility; all of which are having an impact on farm income.”
“Farmers, across all sectors, need greater support to provide a shelter for families and farm operations,” he said.
The Farm Survey report for 2023 is a stark reminder of the fragility of farming as incomes took a huge hit last year, showing that average family farm income in 2023 was less than €20,000, the lowest level in more than a decade.
“While weather conditions did contribute somewhat to this reduction in income, the reality is that the increased costs imposed on farmers are due mainly to so-called sustainability measures. These are placing a huge strain on farm families trying to make ends meet.”
Francie Gorman said the submission also deals with measures needed to incentivise new blood into the sector; the protection of the genuine farmer, and measures to promote climate action.
He acknowledged the progress made on the issue of the Residential Zoned Land Tax and said the campaign to have it permanently removed from farmland would continue.
“IFA will accelerate our nationwide campaign between now and Oct 1st, engaging directly with politicians about the key measures needed for farmers,” he added.
The submission can be read in full here.
