As the General Election approaches this Friday, 29th November, IFA President and Laois farmer Francie Gorman is urging people to recognise the critical importance of this election for the future of Irish agriculture.
Francie Gorman believes Irish agriculture needs to be backed, and this election is a huge opportunity to put the right people in place that will be strong advocates to protect farmers and rural Ireland in the years ahead.
The Ballinakill native also said decisions made by the next government will profoundly impact the farming sector, influencing policies on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), climate action, retail regulation, and other vital issues central to the sustainability of farming and rural communities.
“We as farmers, want to farm and produce food, as we do now, in the most animal welfare and environmentally sustainable manner possible, which our climate enables us to excel at.”
“We want to pass the farm on to the next generation in better standing than we got it and continue to be at the heart of our rural communities, providing jobs and economic opportunities that promote more balanced regional and rural development.”
“But we need to make a fair and honest living too, and be able to plan with greater certainty for the years ahead, not only for the current generation but also for the next generation,” Francie Gorman said.
“It is fair to say this upcoming election is an opportunity to back farming more than ever. For too long now, past Governments have pushed towards a reduction in production and increased regulations.”
“CAP funding must remain a stand-alone allocation within the EU budget. It needs to be substantially increased and used to support farmers, food production and food security.
“The global demand for grain, meat and dairy is rising. If these products are not produced in Ireland, they will be made elsewhere with higher environmental impact.”
“Farming is playing a leading role in climate action, adopting new measures, but time and time again we failed to be backed and supported. Farmers are doing more now than ever, but are getting less and less for it. We need to be supported, and it cannot be from existing funding, we must see a separate EU environmental fund, in addition to an increased CAP,” Francie Gorman said.
“The ACRES scheme has been shambolic and has failed to deliver for farmers. We need a revamped environmental scheme that provides farmers with a payment of up to €15,000.”
“IFA analysis shows that average production costs on Irish farms have increased by close to 75% in recent years, with two in three farms now earning below the national minimum wage, and in no other sector would be that be tolerated.”
“Mercosur continues to loom large, a deal that will completely undermine food quality standards and create an unlevel playing field with substandard produce coming in from South American countries, the next Government must reject Mercosur outright.”
“Our Nitrates Derogation must also be retained at all costs, and it is positive to hear from the leaders of the three main parties that they will do everything to make that happen, but they must walk the walk deliver on that promise,” Francie Gorman said.
“Farmers should be looking ahead with a sense of optimism and purpose. The planet needs more farmers – resilient, innovative and sustainable food producers. Yet, economic, bureaucratic and societal pressures stifle hope and on-farm endeavours.
“The next Government needs to acknowledge the strategic importance of our agri-food sector and the farm families therein and better support their efforts for broader societal gain.”
“Now is the time support agriculture by electing candidates that will stand up and fight for Irish farming and rural Ireland,” the IFA President said.
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