The draft programme for Government has an extremely detailed programme of work planned for farming and the agri-food sector.
A dozen pages of the document lay out a comprehensive programme for the proposed Fine Gael minority Government, following weeks of exhaustive negotiations with Independent TDs, many of whom are from rural constituencies and have maintained a strong focus on farming through the talks.
Fine Gael will propose Enda Kenny for Taoiseach at midday, with Fianna Fáil abstaining as agreed. In order to be elected, he will need the support of a number of independents. Agriculture has been a dominant theme in discussions between Fine Gael negotiators and members of both the Independent Alliance and the Rural Alliance.
Among the many items included are:
Food Wise 2025. The blueprint for the Agri-Food sector will be supported by the new Government. The document lists sectors to be supported by the plan, sectors as varied as dairy, meat, prepared consumer foods, seafood, whiskey and craft beer, horticulture, forestry and tillage. The maximum basic payment will be cut by one-third, from €150,000 to €100,000. Implementation of regulations to tackle unfair practice in the grocery trade, with “support for further action at EU level to deliver greater fairness and transparency in the food supply chain”. Banks, both within and from outside the state, will be encouraged to provide finance at competitive rates, with repayments tailored to farm incomes. The European Investment bank is specifically named, with the Glanbia “Milkflex” loan scheme cited as an example of what can be achieved. The development of an “All-Ireland” beef label will be explored, with a focus on solving the problem of so-called “nomad” cattle, born in the republic of Ireland, but slaughtered in Northern Ireland. If Britain votes to leave the EU next month, this will be very difficult to achieve.
The development of producer organisations; “to ensure that farmers are not just price takers”. CAP reform specifically made provision for such groups, provided budgetary support for them, and legislated for them. Prioritising and developing live exports of cattle, with a particular focus on the Turkish and Egyptian markets. The expected increased cattle numbers in the latter half of 2016 and 2017 are specifically named. A review of the Farm Assist scheme. An increase in the budget of the Areas of Natural Constraint scheme, formerly known as the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. The ANC scheme will have an extra €25m invested in it in Budget 2018. The Targeted Agricultural Measures (TAMS) scheme will be extended, with specific schemes for slat mats and rainwater harvesting systems. Beef
There will be a full mid-term review of the much-criticised Beef Data and Genomics Scheme (BGDP), which will have a committed budget of €300m.
The Beef Forum, which will continue to be chaired by the Minister for Agriculture, and knowledge transfer (KT) groups are specifically mentioned as supporting the sector.
Dairy
The sector will be supported by continued pressure for support at EU level, by TAMS, by KT groups. The dairy forum will be continued.
The development of a dairy futures market will be investigated, and price stability measures will be encouraged to combat volatility.
Sheep
The new government is committing to a new sheep payment. It will have a budget of €25m, worth an estimated €10/ewe annually, as there are around 2.5m ewes in the country. An amendment to the Rural Development Plan (RDP) will be submitted “as soon as possible” so the payment can commence in Budget 2017. This would see the payment start next year.
Again KT groups are cited as a specific sectoral support. Other schemes mentioned include GLAS, TAMS and ANC.
Tillage, horticulture, pigs and poultry
These four sectors are all listed, with the implementation of existing government commitments. A specific TAMS scheme for the tillage sector is included as well as the promise of a dedicated scheme for investment in the poultry sector. There is also a pledge to give support to any attempts to restore sugar beet processing when sugar quotas expire next year. State enterprise bodies will be “asked to examine any substantial business plans related to rebuilding the industry with a view to considering appropriate state supports”.
Organic
The new government is promising to review the effectiveness of the Organic Farming Scheme and Capital Investment Scheme for organic farmers. It will also seek an amendment to the RDP to allow a greater payment per hectare for the first ten hectares for organic producers.
Basic Payment Scheme
“Fairness and transparency” must be at the heart of the inspection and appeals systems. This includes delivery on agreed targets for processing payments schemes and services as agreed in the Farmers Charter. Implementation of all Brussels flexibilities is committed to, with amendments to the “yellow card” system proposed by Commissioner Phil Hogan and about to be introduced, “to ensure its workability in an Irish context.
BPS maps will in future include the date on which satellite images were taken.
The Agriculture and Appeals Act, introduced in 2001, will be reviewed, to ensure the “independence and efficiency” of the office.
Generational change
So-called “forgotten farmers”, that is farmers who are young enough to qualify for young farmer supports but fail to qualify for other reasons, will be recognised and given access to the National Reserve.
The Green Cert will be reviewed, to ensure its suitability.
Current schemes and incentives for young trained farmers will be maintained.
Other measures
Climate change, international trade negotiations, farm safety, flooding, animal health and welfare are all name-checked in the document, although the measures itemised seem to be merely a continuation of existing policy and commitments.
Haulage of animals without the need to use a tachograph is currently restricted to journeys of 50km. This will be increased to 100km.
Specific measures for seafood are itemised.
The draft programme for Government has an extremely detailed programme of work planned for farming and the agri-food sector.
A dozen pages of the document lay out a comprehensive programme for the proposed Fine Gael minority Government, following weeks of exhaustive negotiations with Independent TDs, many of whom are from rural constituencies and have maintained a strong focus on farming through the talks.
Fine Gael will propose Enda Kenny for Taoiseach at midday, with Fianna Fáil abstaining as agreed. In order to be elected, he will need the support of a number of independents. Agriculture has been a dominant theme in discussions between Fine Gael negotiators and members of both the Independent Alliance and the Rural Alliance.
Among the many items included are:
Food Wise 2025. The blueprint for the Agri-Food sector will be supported by the new Government. The document lists sectors to be supported by the plan, sectors as varied as dairy, meat, prepared consumer foods, seafood, whiskey and craft beer, horticulture, forestry and tillage. The maximum basic payment will be cut by one-third, from €150,000 to €100,000. Implementation of regulations to tackle unfair practice in the grocery trade, with “support for further action at EU level to deliver greater fairness and transparency in the food supply chain”. Banks, both within and from outside the state, will be encouraged to provide finance at competitive rates, with repayments tailored to farm incomes. The European Investment bank is specifically named, with the Glanbia “Milkflex” loan scheme cited as an example of what can be achieved. The development of an “All-Ireland” beef label will be explored, with a focus on solving the problem of so-called “nomad” cattle, born in the republic of Ireland, but slaughtered in Northern Ireland. If Britain votes to leave the EU next month, this will be very difficult to achieve. The development of producer organisations; “to ensure that farmers are not just price takers”. CAP reform specifically made provision for such groups, provided budgetary support for them, and legislated for them. Prioritising and developing live exports of cattle, with a particular focus on the Turkish and Egyptian markets. The expected increased cattle numbers in the latter half of 2016 and 2017 are specifically named. A review of the Farm Assist scheme. An increase in the budget of the Areas of Natural Constraint scheme, formerly known as the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. The ANC scheme will have an extra €25m invested in it in Budget 2018. The Targeted Agricultural Measures (TAMS) scheme will be extended, with specific schemes for slat mats and rainwater harvesting systems. Beef
There will be a full mid-term review of the much-criticised Beef Data and Genomics Scheme (BGDP), which will have a committed budget of €300m.
The Beef Forum, which will continue to be chaired by the Minister for Agriculture, and knowledge transfer (KT) groups are specifically mentioned as supporting the sector.
Dairy
The sector will be supported by continued pressure for support at EU level, by TAMS, by KT groups. The dairy forum will be continued.
The development of a dairy futures market will be investigated, and price stability measures will be encouraged to combat volatility.
Sheep
The new government is committing to a new sheep payment. It will have a budget of €25m, worth an estimated €10/ewe annually, as there are around 2.5m ewes in the country. An amendment to the Rural Development Plan (RDP) will be submitted “as soon as possible” so the payment can commence in Budget 2017. This would see the payment start next year.
Again KT groups are cited as a specific sectoral support. Other schemes mentioned include GLAS, TAMS and ANC.
Tillage, horticulture, pigs and poultry
These four sectors are all listed, with the implementation of existing government commitments. A specific TAMS scheme for the tillage sector is included as well as the promise of a dedicated scheme for investment in the poultry sector. There is also a pledge to give support to any attempts to restore sugar beet processing when sugar quotas expire next year. State enterprise bodies will be “asked to examine any substantial business plans related to rebuilding the industry with a view to considering appropriate state supports”.
Organic
The new government is promising to review the effectiveness of the Organic Farming Scheme and Capital Investment Scheme for organic farmers. It will also seek an amendment to the RDP to allow a greater payment per hectare for the first ten hectares for organic producers.
Basic Payment Scheme
“Fairness and transparency” must be at the heart of the inspection and appeals systems. This includes delivery on agreed targets for processing payments schemes and services as agreed in the Farmers Charter. Implementation of all Brussels flexibilities is committed to, with amendments to the “yellow card” system proposed by Commissioner Phil Hogan and about to be introduced, “to ensure its workability in an Irish context.
BPS maps will in future include the date on which satellite images were taken.
The Agriculture and Appeals Act, introduced in 2001, will be reviewed, to ensure the “independence and efficiency” of the office.
Generational change
So-called “forgotten farmers”, that is farmers who are young enough to qualify for young farmer supports but fail to qualify for other reasons, will be recognised and given access to the National Reserve.
The Green Cert will be reviewed, to ensure its suitability.
Current schemes and incentives for young trained farmers will be maintained.
Other measures
Climate change, international trade negotiations, farm safety, flooding, animal health and welfare are all name-checked in the document, although the measures itemised seem to be merely a continuation of existing policy and commitments.
Haulage of animals without the need to use a tachograph is currently restricted to journeys of 50km. This will be increased to 100km.
Specific measures for seafood are itemised.
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: