IFA Welcomes New Sheep & Anc Funding Measures in Draft Programme for Government

IFA President Joe Healy today welcomed the positive aspects on agriculture contained in the Draft Programme for Government, in particular the new funding for sheep and Disadvantaged Areas (ANCs).

Joe Healy said IFA will be working with the new Government on the implementation of all of the measures on agriculture and will be demanding a strong response from the new Minister for Agriculture to address the severe income crisis in farming.

Joe Healy said that IFA had presented detailed proposals on farming to the political parties in the General Election and during the Government negotiations. He said a significant number of the measures contained in the Draft Programme reflect the issues raised by IFA.

The IFA President welcomed the proposed €25m funding for a new sheep scheme and the increase in funding for the ANC Scheme of €25m. He said both measures needed to be in this year’s Budget and paid out to farmers in 2017.

IFA had undertaken intensive campaigns over the last year for a new targeted sheep payment and the restoration of Disadvantaged Area payments (ANC).

Read the key points for Agriculture and Farm Families in the Draft Programme For Government