Usage Limit on Fertiliser Scheme Should be Revisited – IFA

IFA Farm Business Chair Bill O’Keeffe said there is a clear need for the proposed upper limit of 100 tonnes in the Fertiliser Exceptional Aid Scheme (FEAS) to be revisited.

“IFA acknowledges the recent Government funding allocation of €30m to go with the €15m already allocated by the European Commission. However, I am very disappointed at the proposed upper limit of 100 tonnes.”

Following the Budget announcement, IFA contacted both the Minister and senior DAFM officials outlining the need to ensure commercial farmers, particularly in the tillage and horticulture sectors, were fully supported under the scheme. The proposed 100-tonne limit will mean a significant number of those farmers will not receive full support under the scheme as it is currently designed.

“Many commercial farmers, in particular in the tillage and horticultural sectors, would use well in excess of this limit on an annual basis. Many of these farmers are also under significant financial pressure owing to low output prices and escalating input costs compounding the issue,” he said.

“Farmers with higher fertiliser requirements are by their very nature some of the most productive farmers in the country. This cohort of farmers should not be disadvantaged from supports simply because their farms require more fertiliser. While I realise an upper limit is required under the rules set by the EU Commission, it should be substantially higher than what is currently set out,” concluded the IFA Farm Business Chair.