The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) did not deliver for young farmers under the last coalition government, according to the leaders of five of the country’s biggest farm organisations.
In a special debate as part of Agriland‘s GE24 series Elaine Houlihan, president of Macra, Francie Gorman, president of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) Denis Drennan president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) Vincent Roddy, president of the Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) and Sean McNamara, president of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) discussed the key issues in this General Election.
According to the farm leaders when rural voters go to the polls tomorrow (Friday, November 29) the key issues that may influence their decisions chiefly include succession, farmer income, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget and the potential impact of the Mercosur Trade Deal.
The presidents of Macra, IFA, ICMSA, INHFA and ICSA were unanimous in their view on DAFM and its track record on delivery for young farmers under the last coalition government of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party.
According to Elaine Houlihan succession is a “massive issue” for Macra.
“We’ve been banging the succession drum for decades and to hear the political parties coming out to commit to a retirement scheme seems like they’re backing the older farmer once again.
“Where’s the entry into farming? Why isn’t there a succession scheme?
“We have come forward for the last two years with the succession scheme to be put on the table we were told that wasn’t possible and now all of a sudden coming up to election it’s possible as our election promise. We need to see action, whoever goes into government, we need to see action ASAP. We do not we do not want action in three years time for the CAP if it doesn’t happen now there will be no future in agriculture for us,” she warned.
During the debate in the Agriland studio, the IFA, ICMSA, INHFA and the ICSA also put forward their proposals and strategies on what is needed to encouraged more young people into farming and why it is crucial to rural communities and rural economies.
Among the other key issues discussed in the debate included each farm organisation’s position on the nitrates derogation and what the future of the CAP should look like.