Details of a scheme to provide support to a group known as the “forgotten farmers” should be made public by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, without delay, according to the Sinn Féin spokesperson for agriculture.
The forgotten farmers are a group who had typically set up their agricultural holdings before 2008 and who were under the age of 40 in 2015 but did not qualify for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) supports as had other young farmers at that time.
Minister Charlie McConalogue has repeatedly said that he is committed to helping the group and earlier this year his department confirmed that it had developed a “preliminary outline” of a proposal to provide support to the group.
The minister has stressed on a number of occasions that there are “a number of issues to be addressed, for example – the funding required and consistency with the public expenditure – before the details of the eligibility requirements and benefits to successful applicants can be finalised”.
But Deputy Claire Kerrane said today (Tuesday, October 23) that there has been no update on the forgotten farmers proposal drawn up by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) since May.
Forgotten farmers
Deputy Kerrane added: “The forgotten farmers have waited far too long. I have raised this matter several times with Minister McConalogue and each time he has made assurances that a proposal for the group known as forgotten farmers is imminent.
“Considering the minister previously indicated that proposals would be made public in the first quarter of this year, and again promised he would follow up with his department in May, it is really disappointing that nothing has been announced.
“I understand this is a complex issue and it is essential the department get the details of the scheme right. Setting out the eligibility requirements and getting them right is critical”.
The Roscommon–Galway TD also said there had been no reference made to any potential funding package for the forgotten farmers in Budget 2024.
“These are farmers who have already lost out financially and have been left in limbo for years. They have been put in a really vulnerable and unfair position and should not have to wait any longer.
“It appears they may have to wait even longer given there has been no update on the proposed scheme or allocation in Budget 2024,” Deputy Kerrane added.