It is unacceptable that agriculture has become “a target for carbon emission reductions” without Government providing “genuine measures” to facilitate a Just Transition for farmers and their families.
This is the view of Independent Galway East TD, Seán Canney, who participated in the IFA organised meeting with farmers in Athenry mart on Monday night. More than 300 farmers attended the event.
According to Dep Canney [pictured below], agriculture in Ireland, and small farms in Galway, are “at a crossroads” unless the Government “immediately delivers” on the €1.5 billion in supports, in addition to CAP funding, as promised in the Programme for Government.
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“Under the Common Agriculture Policy, farm income supports are now being transferred to Eco measures and this is removing income from farmers,” he said. “The rising cost of fertilizer which has more than doubled coupled with the increase in fuel costs is eating away at the already very tight margins.”
Dep Canney said farmers were also concerned about carbon reduction targets, and the consequences for farming in terms of investment and the lack of support available to invest in these changes up front.
