Increasing the excise duty on agricultural diesel in the upcoming budget will only cause further hardship for farmers, according to Paul Daly.

The Fianna Fail Seanad Spokesperson on Agriculture said farmers would face further financial difficulties should a proposed increase in excise on agricultural or ‘green’ diesel get the go ahead.

“In the midst of this crisis the Government is seemingly considering increasing the excise duty on agricultural diesel.

This will only cause further hardship for farmers should such an increase take place in the next budget.

“The Government should be looking to ease the financial pressure on farming families, not intensify it,” he said.

Daly, the Westmeath-based Senator also said that the Government must focus on assisting farmers in the upcoming budget and not compound the problems that they already have to deal with.

“Fianna Fáil is committed to protecting and developing agriculture for the 140,000 farming families across the country.

Farmers act as the main driver of the rural economy and this must be recognised in the upcoming budget.

Senator Daly made the comments following reports that the Government is considering increasing the excise on agricultural diesel in the upcoming budget.

“Many farmers have been crippled in recent years due to low prices, market volatility and lack of competition in some sectors.

The pressure has only increased over the last 12 months due to poor weather conditions and the fallout associated with Brexit.

“The end result is that many farmers are already facing severe cash flow problems and are finding it difficult to secure credit from banks,” said Senator Daly.

Daly also said that Minister Noonan needs to firmly rule out this draft proposal, as such an increase will only serve to further increase the strain on farming families.