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An Association of Farmers for Farmers

ICSA PRE-ELECTION MANIFESTO

Feb 4, 2016 | General News, Press Releases | 0 comments

An association of farmers FOR farmers

ICSA PRE-ELECTION MANIFESTO

GE 2016

FOUR KEY PILLARS FOR GOVERNMENT STRATEGY

 

No 1:

Provide a regulatory environment and a public support regime that’s fair to all farmers.

No 2:

A clear focus on producing only what there are viable markets for.

No 3:

Do everything possible to get a fair share of profits for farmers.

No 4:

Put live exports top of the agenda.

No 1:

Provide a regulatory environment and a public support regime that’s fair to all farmers.

  • Against unfair LPIS overclaim penalties on disadvantaged farmers with marginal land
  • Fair and reduced inspections and a charter for Bord Bia audits
  • Better RD programme which delivers money to farmers not professionals; seeking reversal of cuts to disadvantaged areas (ANC)
  • Fair deal for hen harrier and other designated farmers – every designated hectare must be compensated
  • Justice for old young farmers who have missed out on access to national reserve
  • Opposition to Right to Roam and re-assertion of property rights of farmers including opposition to all CPOs for non-essential infrastructure or tourism projects
  • Flexibility in BDGP scheme
  • A scheme for sheep farmers within the RD programme
  • Climate change debate: farmers are being wrongly targeted on emissions and not getting the credit on sequestration.
  • Payment on time for all farmers under all schemes
  • Cattle and Sheep farmers should be entitled to the same support the dairy sector got for income falls
  • No to compulsory EID in cattle and no to EID for lambs destined for the factory; open up tag supplies to competition

No 2:

A clear focus on producing only what there are viable markets for.

  • Convinced our clean green image is our greatest asset; being seen as pro GM could ruin image of Kerrygold and grass fed beef and lamb exports
  • Less focus on expansion as extra production leads to lower farm prices
  • Move 5% of land away from livestock by better supports for alternative land use such as forestry and energy crops
  • Opposed to supports which lead to higher production such as an EU wide coupled ewe support which will flood market with more lamb at expense of existing Irish producers

No 3:

Do everything possible to get a fair share of profits for farmers.

  • Challenging 30 months cut off and low weight limits; demanding beef grid review
  • Totally opposed to bad TTIP/ Mercosur deals for beef farmers
  • A regulator of the food chain at EU level to blow open who makes what out of our produce
  • Proper scrutiny of meat industry including permanent on-site monitoring of trim & grading
  • Increased inheritance tax thresholds, full earned income tax credit (€1650) for self-employed; abolition of USC
  • Review of all statutory levies and an end to non-statutory levies deducted without your permission
  • Fair deal for farmers with banking problems, better access to credit
  • Seeking a review of all statutory levies and an end to non-statutory levies deducted without your permission

No 4:

Put live exports top of the agenda.

  • Demanding that live exports are given the same diplomatic push by Government as meat exports

Working to solve labelling blockage of live export

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