The President of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), Joe Healy has today warned that next month’s Budget is a major test of the Government’s commitment to farm families who are under serious income pressure after a year of low product and dreadful weather conditions.
Joe Healy said the Government must use Budget 2017 to take funding and taxation decisions to alleviate farm income difficulties and underpin the longer-term development of the sector.
The IFA warn having experienced a reduction in funding to the agriculture budget of almost 40% during the downturn, there must be an increase in funding in this year’s budget for important farm schemes.
IFA officers who met TDs & Senators also highlighted the five-point plan for farmers who have been hit by weather losses. It includes an aid package for tillage farmers affected by crop losses, a fodder scheme for farmers who don’t have enough silage saved, prompt payments and flexibility on slurry spreading.
Source: www.businessworld.ie
