Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D. and his officials met a Macra na Feirme delegation led by National President Seán Finan yesterday. The Macra na Feirme delegation also included the Chair and Vice Chair of the Agricultural Affairs Committee James Barber and Thomas Duffy and Derrie Dillon Acting Macra C.E.O.
The Minister discussed the key issues that young farmers are currently facing across the farming world; including access to affordable credit for young farmers and the availability of European Investment Bank funding. The Minister confirmed that the Department are proceeding with an ex-ante assessment.
Speaking at the meeting Macra na Feirme National President said that "The agri tax review which Macra na Feirme contributed to, as well as recent tax changes to incentivise long term leasing of land has helped the mobility of land and we acknowledge the governments work in this regard"
The delays in approval for young farmers who applied for TAMS2 grants were also raised at the meeting.
National President Finan concluded “we welcome the commitments by the Government and the significant emphasis on supporting the next generation of farmers in the recently published programme for government and we look forward to continuing our work with the Minister, his officials and the government for the betterment of the livelihoods of young farmers."
Source: www.businessworld.ie