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25/11/2009
Government Brings Forward Payment To Farmers
Farmers' funding calls have been answered as the Government concedes their point, bringing forward payment allocations for the struggling industry.
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith, today announced that he is seeking Dáil approval to increase payments under the Farm Waste Management Scheme (FWMS) and the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (REPS).
Minister Smith said that an additional €39 million would be allocated to REPS and he would now be in a position to commence payment of the second instalment of the farm waste management scheme (FWMS) grants in December, rather than in early 2010.
The new payment plan comes in response to repeated calls from the Irish Farmers Association and the opposition Labour Party to bring the payments forward.
Yesterday IFA President Padraig Walshe said farmers were facing their worst income crisis in a generation.
Mr Walshe said IFA figures showed a 28% drop in farm income for 2009, which coming on top of a 13% fall last year.
Meanwhile, Labour's South Tipperary Senator Phil Prendergast said she supported the IFA's call for the immediate disbursement of any payments.
"The Autumn price for beef was the worst in 20 years and many factories are just not taking in cattle for slaughter at the moment.
The flooding is likely to push up feed prices because the maize and beet used for this is usually harvested around now. But farmers will be unable to do this because the flooding will prevent access their land for a number of weeks."
The Supplementary Estimate will also permit the payment of approximately €1.2 million under the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM). Minister Smith said that "given the value of the agri-food sector to the recovery of the Irish economy, it is essential that we continue to invest in R&D and this decision is evidence of further commitment in that regard".
Brendan Smith said he would be requesting support for the new measures "at this difficult time for farm families".
(DW/BMcC)
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith, today announced that he is seeking Dáil approval to increase payments under the Farm Waste Management Scheme (FWMS) and the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (REPS).
Minister Smith said that an additional €39 million would be allocated to REPS and he would now be in a position to commence payment of the second instalment of the farm waste management scheme (FWMS) grants in December, rather than in early 2010.
The new payment plan comes in response to repeated calls from the Irish Farmers Association and the opposition Labour Party to bring the payments forward.
Yesterday IFA President Padraig Walshe said farmers were facing their worst income crisis in a generation.
Mr Walshe said IFA figures showed a 28% drop in farm income for 2009, which coming on top of a 13% fall last year.
Meanwhile, Labour's South Tipperary Senator Phil Prendergast said she supported the IFA's call for the immediate disbursement of any payments.
"The Autumn price for beef was the worst in 20 years and many factories are just not taking in cattle for slaughter at the moment.
The flooding is likely to push up feed prices because the maize and beet used for this is usually harvested around now. But farmers will be unable to do this because the flooding will prevent access their land for a number of weeks."
The Supplementary Estimate will also permit the payment of approximately €1.2 million under the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM). Minister Smith said that "given the value of the agri-food sector to the recovery of the Irish economy, it is essential that we continue to invest in R&D and this decision is evidence of further commitment in that regard".
Brendan Smith said he would be requesting support for the new measures "at this difficult time for farm families".
(DW/BMcC)
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Ireland WeatherToday:There will be a mixture of bright intervals and a few showers. Best of the sunny spells will be near the North Coast. Feeling on the cool side. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
