The lack of funding for a national reserve in 2016 will have consequences for the future of Irish farming, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Agriculture Martin Kenny has said.
The Sligo-Leitrim TD said that he is disappointed, along with many young farmers, that the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed has announced that there will be no funds for a national reserve for 2016.
“Surely, it must be a priority to support young farmers entering the industry if the future of Irish farming is to be assured.”
The Minister has again blamed the EU for this situation, but it is the Minister’s job to stand up for Irish farmers, to be the voice of Irish farmers in Brussels and not just be the voice of the EU here.
“There has to be some plan to ensure that entitlements are accessible to young farmers, returning emigrants and those entering the sector and it has to be a long-term strategic plan, not just depending on what is left after everything else is looked after in any given year,” he said.
We know, Kenny said, that everyone needs their Basic Payments intact, due to the various sectors suffering income crisis, but stopping young blood entering farming is not the way to develop our Agri-food sector and ensure the future of the family farm.
“The previous Fine Gael Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney fudged this issue for months, telling farmers that provision would be made, but now we see the truth from Minister Creed: no provision was made and farmers lacking entitlements are left high and dry.”