Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that if her party was in power, it would fight for an increased budget for farmers under the common agricultural policy (CAP).
McDonald said that the government “cannot keep asking farmers to do more while receiving less and less supports” and that the next government “must work for better outcomes” with the European Union.
Following the visit of Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, McDonald spoke at the Irish Farmers’ Association national council meeting today (Tuesday, November 12).
McDonald told the farmers present that a Sinn Féin led government will “stand shoulder to shoulder” with those in the sector.
“The outgoing government agreed an EU budget that is bad for Ireland and for Irish farming. You have more obligations and less funding in real terms.
“A Sinn Féin government will fight for a fairer and increased CAP. That will require an all-of government effort. If I am Taoiseach, I will lead that effort,” the Sinn Féin leader said.
Mary Lou McDonald
McDonald said that she “recognises” the level of uncertainty in farming and the “challenges” faced by the sector in recent times linked to costs and market volatility.
She said that farmers have “not received the support they need” and that a Sinn Féin government would change that.
McDonald said that the government would deliver an “enhanced and simplified” suckler payment for beef farmers. The party would also assist sheep farmers with an increased Sheep Improvement Scheme Payment.
The party has also made a commitment increase income disregards in the farm assist scheme, and increase investment in the Tillage Incentive Scheme.
McDonald added that recent delays in payments, such as within the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), has had “direct impact” on farming incomes.
Mercosur opposition
While McDonald had similar views on the Mercosur trade deal to both the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil leaders, she distanced herself from their comments by saying that there would be no room for negotiation.
McDonald described the deal as “regressive” and said that it “offers nothing positive for Ireland”.
“Waiting for negotiations to conclude on an additional legal instrument for a bad trade deal, will not reduce the damage Mercosur will cause to the environment and farmers.
“The government is talking out of both sides of its mouth when they tell Irish farmers that they are opposed to this deal,” McDonald said.
“Unless the government notifies the European Commission now of Ireland’s opposition, we’ll know that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil can’t be trusted on Mercosur.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture Martin Kenny also assured farmers at the meeting that Sinn Féin “is not leaving the door open” on the deal.