ICSA: Govt must 'deliver' on agriculture commitments
Commitments set out in the draft programme for government to "support farmers and the agri-food sector by using every policy lever available" have been welcomed by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA).
But the president of the ICSA, Sean McNamara, has warned that these commitments "remain only promises until fully delivered".
“ICSA welcomes the commitments on protecting live exports, retaining the nitrates derogation, and strengthening the Agri-Food Regulator’s powers to improve transparency in the food supply chain.
"These are vital issues that will require genuine commitment and determination to ensure the right outcomes for Irish farmers," he said.
The draft programme for government, published yesterday (Wednesday, January 15) sets out the intentions of the next coalition Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael government supported by the Regional Independent Group (RIG).
According to McNamara there are a number of positives for farmers in the programme.
"For cattle and sheep farmers, the commitments to increasing financial supports and reducing administrative burdens are encouraging - but commitments alone are not enough.
"We fully intend to hold the government accountable for these promises.
"We also want to see payments for suckler, beef, and sheep farmers front-loaded, so that the biggest financial boost can happen in year one of the government term," McNamara added.
He said these payments are a vital measure to "help keep farmers in business rather than forcing them to give up"
According to the ICSA president one of the major challenges which lies ahead for the new government is in relation to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
He has urged the new government to "fight hard to secure a budget increase, simplified payment schemes, and additional funding outside CAP for environmental measures".
McNamara added: "With Ireland assuming the EU presidency in 2026, there is a significant opportunity to shape CAP in a way that genuinely benefits Irish farmers, and this opportunity must be seized.”
He also underlined that farmers want to see a "strong and unified opposition to the Mercosur trade deal" from the next government.
"They must actively collaborate with like-minded EU nations to block it and safeguard the livelihoods of Irish farmers.
"The same applies to the Nature Restoration Law - while the commitment that all measures under this law will remain entirely voluntary for farmers is welcome, it must be upheld in practice," McNamara added.
However when it comes to the future of Irish farming the ICSA president said that one of the most pressing issues is now "generational renewal"
"The formation of the Commission for Generational Renewal in Farming was a positive step.
"We now need to see policies developed and implemented that will support both new entrants and those exiting the sector," he added.
