Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) president Colm O’Donnell has put forward key proposals to election party candidates prior to Saturday's general election.

A full convergence of CAP payments and a government commitment to fund any shortfall in Pillar II are called for by the association.

Other topics highlighted include a targeted suckler cow welfare scheme, a doubling of the Sheep Welfare Scheme payments and an overhaul of Knowledge Transfer groups, with monies directed to the farmer rather than being facilitator-led.

The association would also like to see a transition payment for older farmers seeking to retire.

The INHFA has also called for TAMS funding to incorporate the renovation of farm sheds, old farm buildings and fence repair.

Highlights of the INHFA manifesto

  • Land designations (SACs, SPAs and NHAs) – the INHFA proposes payment supports from the CAP programme and national exchequer funding.
  • Payment for protection of Carbon rich soils and carbon sequestration.
  • CAT (agricultural retirement relief) - Abolish the 50% working hours requirement and end the discrimination against part-time farmers.
  • Forestry - The suspension of all State supports pending a full review of the impact and suitability of sitka spruce forests.
  • Smart village - The initiation and the implementation of smart village strategies to build on existing initiatives to be funded by a variety of public and private sources. An example of this would be the development of broadband fibre hubs to be piloted in the next phase of CAP.
  • Marketing fund - A marketing fund of €10m set aside for marketing naturally-reared grass-fed suckler beef.

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