Dedicated Funding Needed for Designated Farms – IFA

IFA Ulster/North Leinster Regional Chair and SAC Project Team Chair Frank Brady has called on Minister Martin Heydon and Minister Christopher O’Sullivan to leave no stone unturned to secure adequate finance and supports for farmers on designated land in the upcoming Budget and in the Climate & Nature Fund.

“The economic viability and value of the c.35,000 farms on designated lands must be better protected. Proper, and long-term, remuneration is needed for the farming restrictions placed on them; and lost earnings and devaluation of land recognised. A ‘no compensation, no designation’ policy should apply,” Frank Brady said.

“Greater funding is needed to adequately resource the Farm Plan scheme; increase awareness and expand the numbers involved, with increased payment rates to more accurately reflect the additional costs and burden on farmers whose land is designated,” he said.

“It’s hard to comprehend the huge added complexity and cost to farms designation brings. Farmers cannot fence their own land with/without the support of TAMS without multiple permissions and possibly environmental assessments.”

“This all takes time and can be very costly, with no guarantee of success at the end of the day. Farmers on designated land could have to pay €4-5k or more than those on non-designated land for the same investment. This issue needs to be resolved.”

“Farmers on designated lands cannot be disadvantaged, and no further restrictions should apply to lands currently designated. They need increased support and political backing, starting with the upcoming Budget,” Frank Brady said.