Fianna Fáil Publishes Policy Aimed At Protecting Agriculture

Fianna Fáil has published a policy aimed at protecting and developing agriculture for the 140,000 farming families in Ireland.

The party's spokesperson on Agriculture and Food Éamon Ó Cuív said that the proposals "will safeguard a fairer future for farmers, who are the main drivers of the rural economy and custodians of the Irish countryside".

"Family farming is at the heart of the Irish agriculture industry and Fianna Fáil has built this policy around the protection and progression of these businesses. Farming must remain an attractive and profitable activity in all regions and across all land types and commodities. This strategy aims to ensure that all land types are farmed and that land abandonment is avoided," Deputy Ó Cuív said.

"Protecting the primary producer in the market place is another core party policy. Under Fianna Fáil, the development of a world class agri-food business was initiated in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. However, with rising volatility in many sectors, farmers must see fair prices for their produce and ensure that they are price makers not price takers.

"We are proposing to introduce an independent 'Groceries Code Adjudicator' for the protection of primary producers, which would oversee the relationship between major food retailers and multiples and their suppliers, ensuring that farmers are treated fairly and get a fair return on produce.

"As well as protecting farm incomes, Fianna Fáil believes the significant underspend on RDP schemes should not be left unused. These funds should be retained in the sector for the primary producer. The party is also committed to rural communities and in government will double the number of places on rural social schemes".

The Fianna Fáil policy includes:

• Family farming remaining the mainstay of Irish farming

• Fair prices and increased farm profitability for the primary producer

• Supporting a fair and simpler CAP

• Balancing environmental responsibilities with food security

• Fair farm inspections and proportionate penalties

"Fianna Fáil's latest policy provides a clear pathway to secure fair prices and increased profitability for farmers, while ensuring our rural communities are not left behind by this anti-rural government."

(MH/CD)