Increased supports delivered today (Tuesday, October 1) in Budget 2025 for suckler and sheep farmers have been welcomed by the Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA).
However the organisation has also warned that “there is still a lot more that needs to be done.”
Vincent Roddy, president of the INHFA, said the decision to continue with the National Sheep Welfare Scheme and increase funding by €5/ewe is “definitely a positive that now provides a support package of €25/ewe, when we add in the Sheep Improvement Scheme.”
“In our budget proposals we sought an overall support package for the sheep sector of €30/ewe and while this hasn’t got to that, we can realistically expect to get there by 2026,” Roddy added.
He also believes the decision to increase payment rates on the Beef Welfare Scheme (BWS) by €25/calf to the new rate of €75/calf will be “well received provided the measures are attainable and cost effective.”
Budget 2025
But the INHFA president warned that because many of the organisation’s members have had difficulties accessing the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) this is why there is “such a pressure on ensuring the BWS can deliver”.
Roddy believes the increase in BWS “is a step in the right direction but we still need a number of big steps to get to the support levels extensive suckler farmers need.”
The INHFA today also welcomed the budget allocation for the ‘Forgotten Farmer’ group.
“For too long they have been ignored and while the €5 million announced won’t even come close to dealing with all the cases, it is our understanding that further monies will be available in 2026 to finalise all outstanding applicants with a lump sum payment of €5,000,” Roddy outlined.
He said the INHFA had always championed their cause and intend to “maintain the pressure until this issue is resolved and the farmers paid.”
The organisation has expressed disappointment about the government’s decision not to adopt its proposal to provide tax exemptions to farmers in relation to their Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) payments.
It did welcome an increased provision of €60 million for ACRES in Budget 2025 bringing funding for the scheme in 2025 to €260 million.
However Roddy warned that there are still major issues with the scheme including “the roll out of payments, the habitat scores and associated actions”.
He said the INHFA is still looking for “round-table discussions with all stakeholders to ensure the scheme delivers for farmers.”