FARM LEADERS have complained to the Taoiseach that they have already taken a disproportionate amount of cuts and that the Government risks damaging the sector even more by further reductions.
During a meeting of the social partnership, Mr Cowen was told that the sector had already lost €100 million, from the most vulnerable farmers through the closure of the Reps 4 scheme, the suckler cow welfare scheme and disadvantaged areas scheme.
Mr Cowen, who was accompanied by Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith, was told by Irish Farmers’ Association president Pádraig Walshe that incomes would drop on farms by between 40 and 50 per cent because of the cuts.
Jackie Cahill, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, said the Taoiseach had explained the €4 billion would come from public service pay, social welfare cuts and cuts in services. The ICMSA had emphasised the absolute necessity of developing the exporting sectors without which no economic recovery was possible.
Mr Walshe said in a statement following the meeting that the Government should be focused on cutting costs and improving competitiveness. “Instead, Government cutbacks have contributed to the farm income crisis, particularly for dry stock farmers.”
The farm organisations told Mr Cowen their sector had already been hit disproportionately and they were already €100 million down because of various cuts.
Mr Walshe told the Taoiseach that the only response the IFA had received to proposals identifying savings in the agriculture budget was from the Department of Finance, which reflected a lack of awareness of the seriousness of the farm income crisis and the role of the productive agriculture sector.
Senior civil servants were totally out of touch with the critical role farming played as a productive sector in sustaining economic activity and jobs.
Michael Gowing, president of Macra na Feirme, made a plea for more support for young farmers and because of the critical role of education, more funding for Teagasc, which delivers farm eduction to young people.
Mr Gowing also called for continuing State support for the rural transport programme.
The Irish Cattle and Sheepfarmers Association said it had impressed on the Taoiseach the danger posed to the sector by more cuts in schemes.