IFA to Attend Farmers’ Charter of Rights Meeting Attended by Minister

An IFA delegation, led by IFA Deputy President Brian Rushe, will attend the Farmers’ Charter of Rights meeting on Thursday following the decision by the Minister for Agriculture to attend the meeting.

IFA cannot accept any delay in farm payments. It would cause huge difficulties for farmers. The Department’s delayed payments plan means that ANC payments would be pushed out by four weeks and the Basic Payment pushed back by two weeks.

“IFA did not attend that last meeting of the Charter and instead we sought a meeting with Minister McConalogue. As Thursday’s meeting will now be attended by the Minister, we will attend. However, we want to be clear that the Minister must ensure that farmers are paid on the same dates as previous years,” Brian Rushe said. 

“The Dept has acted unilaterally. Delaying payments is totally wrong and IFA cannot accept any delay. This would cause havoc later this year as bills fall due at their normal time without there being money in farmers accounts to meet repayments,” he said.  “The Minister must take control of the situation and put the resources in place to ensure payments are made on time,” he concluded.