Farmers Reminded that BISS Deadline is May 15th
IFA Rural Development Chair John Curran has encouraged farmers to engage with their planner and make sure to get their BISS application in on time.
“There’s only a week to go before the deadline, and by all accounts returns have been positive, but there is still a significant number that have to apply. While there are strong output prices at the moment, the reality is costs of production remain high so margins will still be tight. It will be BISS that keeps the show on the road for most farmers. We simply can’t afford to miss the deadline,” he said.
“I know from many IFA national and regional meetings that there is a lot of fear and concern among farmers with regard to GAEC-2 and what it will mean. Some were reluctant to even apply this year. With formal Commission approval granted to DAFM proposals last week, we know now, unless things change in the Simplification Package next week which we hope the Minister will deliver on, that it’s in play and will focus on drainage and ploughing measures.”
“Impacted farmers, if they haven’t already, will be getting letters outlining what parcels are impacted and what it means for them. I’d encourage farmers to discuss GAEC-2 with their planners and see what options may apply at application. There will be an appeals system established re GAEC-2 parcels, but full details are not yet known. Either way, the key thing is to get your BISS applications in. You can always amend things later if you wish.”
“In terms of the next CAP, discussions are already ongoing, with important milestones such as the publication of the EU’s next long-term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)) and next CAP programme expected mid-July. With geo-political pressures and divergent priorities potentially toward defence, the consensus is that the next CAP faces challenges that we have never seen before.”
“To give farmers a flavour of what may lie ahead, IFA is organising a CAP event next Tues, May 13th in Killashee Hotel in Naas at 7.30pm. The Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon is the keynote speaker. I would encourage farmers to attend and put their case forward on why we need a fully-funded, simplified CAP.”
“IFA believes that while EU’s budgetary needs are many, additional actions/policies cannot come at the expense of the CAP budget. It has to be properly funded and must focus on supporting food production. That was its primary ambition when it was founded. However, trying to meet too many objectives has diluted the core aim of the CAP and its value to farmers. The policy framework that determines how CAP works for farming in Ireland is critical to the future of the sector,” he said.
