Government Must Not Renege on Commitments Given to Farmers – IFA President

IFA President Francie Gorman has hit out strongly at rumours of Government raiding funding from the vulnerable suckler and sheep sectors in the upcoming budget.

Francie Gorman said both Government parties gave strong commitments to increase supports for suckler and sheep farmers in their election manifesto’s when courting the support of farmers less than 12 months ago.

“Fianna Fail committed to provide €350 per cow and €35 per ewe with the current Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydons party Fine Gael promising €300 per cow and €30 per ewe.”

“There can be no row back on these commitments. Supports for suckler cows and ewes must be built on in the upcoming budget to provide these vital supports to these two sectors that play a pivotal role in the economic, environmental, and social fabric of rural Ireland,” he said.

Francie Gorman added the Government is supported by a number of independent TD’s, all of whom sang from the same hymn sheet of strengthening supports for suckler and sheep farmers when looking for farmers support. 

Francie Gorman said this is the first budget of this new government and first opportunity for them to deliver on their promises to farmers.

“They can’t renege now they are in office” he added.

The IFA President said the Minister for Agriculture launched his TB plan only a few short weeks ago and told us he was securing additional funding for it. Robbing vital supports from our most vulnerable farmers was never mentioned by the Minister and should never be considered. 

“Farmers are already contributing €150m annually to the TB programme. The Minister must find new funding, not try and divert more farmers money into the programme.”

Francie Gorman said the Tillage sector is in crisis and in need of meaningful support, but this cannot be taken from other low-income farmers. 

“Since rumours of this approach emerged for the first time two weeks ago, we have lobbied intensely Government TD’s and engaged directly with the Minister for Agriculture on the matter, rejecting out of hand any considerations of this flawed and unacceptable approach,” he added.

IFA Livestock Chair Declan Hanrahan said the suckler sector has been decimated over the last 10 years, losing over 250,000 cows.  

“The sector is heavily dependent on direct supports for Family Farm Income, with this dependence at 132% for 2024 alone.”

“We have had a good year this year where for the first time in most suckler farmers memory we are getting a price that reflects the actual production costs on farms but there is no guarantee these prices will be available next year,” he said.

IFA Sheep Chair Adrian Gallagher said the ball is firmly at the foot of the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon to show leadership and a willingness to stop the collapse of the sheep sector in Ireland.

Adrian Gallagher said to date this year throughput in sheep processing plants is back over 370,000 head, following a drop of over 360,000 last year, over the past two years there over 700,000 less sheep processed.

The IFA Sheep Chair said the figures are startling and there for all to see. Unless there is significant long term direct support for farmers lambing ewe’s we risk losing the second largest farm sector in the country.

The IFA Hill Farming Chair Cáillin Conneely agreed and said it’s time the unique challenges faced by hill farmers and the critical role farming plays in these areas, delivering socio-economic and environmental benefits, is matched by real and tangible support.

“Our ANC budget is still back €50m on where it was in the past, at a time when costs and regulation are going up all the time, and the country is awash with money.”

“These rumoured cuts would rub salt into wounds of our most vulnerable farmers, and no doubt would have political ramifications,” he added.

IFA President Francie Gorman stated we either have Government backing or we don’t.

“Minister Heydon needs to deliver, and at a minimum existing supports enhanced, and the ANC budget needs to be re-instated back where it was.” He concluded.