A delegation from the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) were met with a positive response from Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed during their pre-budget submission meeting.

The delegation, including the INHFA president Colm O’Donnell, highlighted the need for the Government to honour the promise for an additional €25m in Area of Natural Constraint (ANC) funding.

To date this year, 75,000 farmers have received ANC payments worth over €160m.

The INHFA also pointed out the need for an additional €25m to be spent on a Sheep Welfare Scheme. The INHFA said Minister Creed acknowledged the poor prices hill farmers receive for lambs and committed to establishing an outlet for lighter hill lamb.

Rural crime

Incidences of rural crime and farm fatalities were also highlighted as areas that need to be addressed, and assurance was sought that farmers whose land or livestock suffered as a result of severe weather conditions would be assisted swiftly by the Department for Agriculture.

The INHFA wants 3,000 places on the Rural Social Scheme filled immediately and an additional 500 places made available. They would also like farmers to be given the option of three year income averaging when being considered for the Farm Assist Scheme.

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