Newly installed Taoiseach Simon Harris has already fired out a number of well-used and hackneyed platitudes in the direction of Irish agriculture, courtesy of his speech to last weekend’s Fine Gael Ard Fheis.
He told the party faithful that under his leadership, he will look at “practical supports” to help farming communities.
“Agriculture is a vital part of our economy. Your work must be rewarded and valued,” the Taoiseach stated.
However, if the Wicklow native thinks this approach will get him over the line with farmers at the present time, then he needs to think again.
The reality is, that the very fabric of Irish agriculture is under threat like never before. The family farm structure, for which this country is noted for around the world, is creaking at its very foundations.
Years of poor returns prices allied, more recently, with searing increases in all input and labour costs have combined to deny almost Irish farm family a sustainable future.
Recent protests by farmers throughout Europe have been the direct result of the ferocious economic pressures now coming on farm incomes.
Some Irish farmers may believe they have no other option but to stage further protests if they see no real help and assistance coming form their own government, and the clock is ticking.
So, is a fundamental review of Irish agriculture required?
In my opinion, absolutely – and the sooner this work gets underway, the better.
New Taoiseach
Irish farmers need sustainable support measures in the here and now, and it’s the job of the Irish government to make this happen.
The current format of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) allows for greater levels of targeted national funding to be made available to farming businesses, when and where it is deemed necessary.
The clear message to Simon Harris as he settles into the Taoiseach’s office is a very simple one – Irish agriculture needs real help, right now.
Farming in Ireland is under systemic threat. It’s crucial that the new Simon Harris-led government recognises this salutary fact.
The good news is, that Ireland’s new Taoiseach has an immediate opportunity to truly demonstrate his support for local agriculture.
The final version of the report from the Food Vision Tillage Group, points to some of the key challenges facing tillage farmers at this time.
The document contains a number of core recommendations that reflect the strategic needs of the tillage sector moving in the short term. It is vitally important that government recognises the merits of these proposals.
Not to do so would be an immediate indictment of the new Taoiseach and his commitment to agriculture.
In tandem with the report from the Tillage Vision Group, have come calls for the government to step in and create a level playing field for tillage farmers.
The sector has been ravaged by recent changes to the CAP payment system, farmers’ inability to secure conacre land against the fierce completion created by dairy farmers seeking ‘shelter’ from the impact of the nitrates directive and, more latterly, the impact of the weather.
Depending which farming organisation that one talks to, the bill to sort these issues out comes in at either €76 million or €80 million annually.
That means the Taoiseach, is left facing one fundamental question: where will the money come from that is so needed by Irish farmers right now?