Tánaiste on farming survey: ‘We are going to continue to support you’
Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris has told Agriland that his government hears farmers’ concerns and that it will support the sector.
A new survey found one-in-three farmers indicating their intention to exit the farming sector within five years.
The survey was conducted by leading Irish research agency Opinions, and commissioned by Agriland and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA).
Harris was talking to Agriland at the National Ploughing Championships today.
When questioned by Agriland editor Stella Meehan about the survey and the viability of farming, Tánaiste Harris replied: “It's been a bloody tough time to be a farmer in Ireland, right?
“Through no fault of farmers, through no fault of farm contractors, through no fault of anybody in this country, we've had a situation where farmers, despite having had previously very good times, have met a very, very high cost base, particularly around energy.
“And the first thing I want to say to farmers, particularly farmers who are under pressure, particularly farmers wondering, is it going to be worth my while? Is it viable? I want to say, firstly, we hear you.”
The Tánaiste went on to promise continued support.
He added: “I want to say, secondly, we're going to continue to support you.
“It's why we took the decision around the excise extension in the last number of weeks.
“And it's why we will do more in the budget, particularly in relation to energy.”
The Minister for Finance went on to discuss tax strategy.
He said: “I've been very clear, and I got the tax strategy group to do a paper.
“I think we have to look at the different components of carbon tax and how that applies, because it does not apply equally to every part of this country in terms of its impact.
“And we have to give consideration to that.”
Succession
Tánaiste Harris went on to discuss succession.
He said: “I've met the ICMSA on this. I've met the IFA (Irish Farmers’ Association) on this. I'm engaging with Macra on it, talking to the Minister for Agriculture (Martin Heydon).
“We have a really good report now. We know what we need to do.”
Harris described the generation renewal report as a “seismic moment” in terms of a roadmap.
“I think what a lot of farmers and a lot of young farmers will look to this budget in three weeks' time is to say, are we going to act on it?
“And what I want to tell you today in my role as Finance Minister, there's a number of recommendations in the tax relief space, and I'm minded to move on a number of them in the budget in just three weeks' time," he said.
Agriland has a packed schedule of events taking place at our tent this year, so be sure to drop by at Block 4, Row 10, Stand 184 over the next three days.
