Farming is worth cool €314m. to Co. Galway
A ‘COMMITMENT’ from the Government that there will be further cuts in the farming budget this year needs to be complemented with a number of initiatives to boost farmers’ income, according to Galway IFA Chairman Pat Murphy.
He told the Farming Tribune that while the IFA had received a commitment as regards ‘no more cuts’, a number of positive measures needed to be put in place to support farmers who were under a lot of financial pressure.
The Galway IFA Chairman said that an early start-up date for the GLAS scheme was an ‘absolute essential’ as any delay would resulte in only small amounts being paid out to farmers in 2015.
“According to a detailed IFA economic analysis, agriculture acrosss county Galway is worth in the region of €314 million. For every euro that the Government puts into agriculture there is a huge spin-off impact for local communities and towns – the return is huge,” said Pat Murphy.
He said that the IFA would be pressing for an increase in the Suckler Cow payment from €80 to €100 as well as a continuation of inter-farm stamp duties reliefs.
“We will also be seeking a realistic level of compensation for farmers with BVD positive calves, because as things stand, some farmers are holding onto those calves and that is not what anyone wants,” said Pat Murphy.
He also said that the IFA would be pressing for a reversal of cuts that had been applied to schemes such as the Disadvantaged Areas (DAS).
“For every extra euro that the Dept. of Agriculture puts into farming there is a two to one return to the local economy. This is a chance to drive on growth and keep people in jobs in their local towns and villages,” said Pat Murphy.
IFA President Eddie Downey said that their financial analysis clearly showed the importance of farm schemes and direct payments for farm income.
“Minister Simon Coveney must fight for the allocation of €500m plus of funding for RDP farm schemes in the Budget at the Cabinet table in the coming weeks. This funding will be critical to ensure the opening of the GLAS scheme, with payments in 2015 and the full payment of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme,” said Eddie Downey.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.