Fertiliser scheme must be 'fair to farmers across all sectors'
It must be ensured that new fertiliser supports do not "discriminate against smaller farmers", the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) has said.
ICSA rural development chair Edmond Phelan stressed that all farmers are struggling with higher costs, and all farmers should be able to access this support.
Phelan was speaking following a stakeholder meeting with Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) officials this week to discuss the scheme design.
Fertiliser support
Phelan said the ICSA is concerned about potentially "lower limits being set for the scheme which could leave many farmers unable to qualify".
"For example, if a minimum payment meant that a farmer had to spread around 9t of fertiliser before they could receive anything, that would leave a lot of smaller farmers out," he said.
"A farmer who spreads 8t is still facing higher fertiliser prices and should be paid for the 8t they have used.
"We also need to remember that many drystock farmers operate on lower input systems and use less fertiliser, but they are still facing higher fertiliser costs.
"They should not be penalised for that. The scheme needs to be designed in a way that is fair to farmers across all sectors.”
Pressure has been mounting on Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon to deliver a support scheme for farmers since the €540 million EU Fertiliser Action Plan was approved by member states in July.
Ireland has been allocated almost €15.4 million in emergency assistance which can be made available to farmers.
Maximum funding needed
Phelan continued: "Minister Heydon can add up to 200% in national funding, which could bring the total available to almost €46.2 million.
"We need the maximum funding available and we need to make sure it is spread fairly. This is not about one sector against another.
"Farmers across the country are under financial pressure and this support needs to reach all farmers who are dealing with higher fertiliser costs."
Phelan said the details are still being worked out, so "now is the time to get this right".
"We need a straightforward scheme that gives meaningful support to farmers and recognises the pressure they are under," he said.
"There should be no situation where a farmer is left with nothing simply because their fertiliser use falls below a set limit."
