IFA Pre-Budget Submission Seeks Support Against Uncertain Backdrop

IFA President Francie Gorman led a delegation this afternoon to meet the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon to discuss IFA’s pre-Budget submission.

This kickstarts IFA’s campaign that will continue until Budget ’26 is delivered in October.

IFA President Francie Gorman said that this budget will be very significant as it will be an opportunity for the Government to make good the commitments they have made in their programme for Government. 

“Our officers around the country will engage with TDs and Senators at local level and IFA will hold its pre-Budget session with members of the Oireachtas in September” he said. 

Francie Gorman said the submission has a comprehensive set of proposals that cover the key taxation and funding areas for farming.

“The Budget in October will be against the backdrop of growing uncertainty for farm families, whether that’s the impact of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump or the CAP negotiations that began officially in Brussels this week,” he said.

The IFA President said investment decisions at farm level can only proceed if there’s a degree of certainty and security for farmers.

“Our message to Minister Heydon was clear: additional costs and regulation put margins under threat. The commentary about improved product prices fails to reference the significant burden that the highest standards impose. He must be a strong voice at the Cabinet table when the budget details are under discussion,” he said.

“Among the key priorities we emphasised was the need for farmers to secure a fair share of the €3.1bn Climate & Nature fund; permanent RZLT exemptions for active farmers, a continuation of key taxation supports expiring end 2025, and increased TAMS funding to avoid use of ranking and selection procedures.”

“Increased supports to mitigate market uncertainties and inflationary pressures, together with targeted sectoral interventions, especially for our vulnerable sectors, is paramount.”

“Our grain sector in particular is in crisis with increased costs of production without an uplift in grain price. Without immediate direct support, tillage farmers will be forced out of business,” Francie Gorman said. 

“The Minister must prioritise the survival of the tillage sector at a time when it is in real danger of contracting even further” he said.

Read the submission in full here.