Organic Farmers Call For Cuts To Be Directed Away From Smaller Farmers

Irish Organic Association calls for cuts to
agriculture spending to be directed away from smaller farmers
IOA says – cutbacks if essential should be informed by a vision for the
future shape of rural Ireland

The Irish Organic Farmers & Growers Association (IOFGA) believes that any
changes in funding to agriculture should be informed by a vision for the
future shape of Irish farming which is lacking at present. IOA believes
that the growing economic consequences of climate change, peak oil and
environmental regulation will make both smaller holdings and organic
farming more and more viable in the future. Government policy should aim
to work with these broader global trends to ensure a vibrant rural economy
in the coming years. In this respect, cutbacks to environmental schemes
like REPS and to supports for the organic sector seem particularly unwise.
The potential role of agriculture in the economy should be taken into
account is assessing how much of the burden of cutbacks the sector should
bear. Agriculture can play an important role in rebalancing the economy
away from an excessive dependence on multinational investment and the
property sector.

Any cutbacks in spending on agriculture to be structured so as to protect
small farmers. The current proposals in the McCarthy report for a
reduction in REPS and the Disadvantaged area scheme will result in a
serious loss of income for many smaller farmers with low incomes. If
savings are required from the sector they could perhaps be achieved by
capping the amount that any individual farmer can receive under the Single
Farm Payment at say 50,000 euro and redistributing the money saved to
support the current REPS scheme.

Kate Carmody Chairperson of IOA stated ‘IOA believes that the current
economic crisis provides a real opportunity to develop a new vision for
agriculture in Ireland. We must rebalance our economy in a more
sustainable way and agriculture can play a key role in that particularly
by focussing on areas of growing consumer demand such as organics. If
spending cutbacks are implemented in the agriculture budget we believe
that they should be structured so as to protect small farmers. The current
plan to cut REPS will result in a serious loss of income for many smaller
farmers with low incomes. If savings are required from the sector they
could perhaps be achieved by capping the amount that any individual farmer
can receive under the Single Farm Payment at say 50,000 euro and
redistributing the money saved to support the current REPS scheme. Whilst
no one likes a cut in income, it seems fair that those on higher incomes
should bear more of the burden.’
’

Note to editors

The Irish Organic Association (IOFGA) is the largest
organic certification organisation in Ireland representing approx 1,000
farmers, growers and processors. It is responsible for certifying the
organic provenance of its members produce and the IOA symbol indicates
that a product has met the highest standard or organic integrity. IOFGA
also works to inform the public about the benefits or organic food and to
support the development of organic food production in Ireland. Further
information on IOA is available on www.iofga.org. IOA publishes its
popular magazine Organic Matters. Articles from back issues of the
magazine may be found at www.irishorganic.ie

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For further information contact:

Kate Carmody Chairperson IOA tel 086 8239582
Grace Maher Development Officer IOA 087 6125989

Issued by John O’Neill Tel 087 612 5989 or john.oneill@iofga.org
Urlabhraí le gaeilge ar fáil – 087 612 5989