The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 20 Sep, 2018

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Finance

Period 1 May, 2018 to 31 Aug, 2018

Specific Details Budget 2019 IFA Submission - Expenditure

Intended results Suckler cow scheme - In order to improve incomes and stabilise numbers, IFA proposes a targeted payment of €200 per suckler cow, structured under environmental and animal welfare measures in the CAP Rural Development Programme and financed predominately from national resources and savings from existing RDP schemes. Based on payments to about 50,000 suckler farmers with 900,000 cows, the scheme would require funding of €180m pa. Areas of Natural Constraint - IFA proposes that funding for the ANCs is increased by a further €73m to bring the total budget for the scheme to €300m. This increase will reverse cuts that took place from 2009 onwards, take account of inflation in the intervening period and cater for new payment rates under the review of ANC areas, which will be implemented next year. Sheep Welfare Scheme - IFA proposes the introduction of an additional targeted environmental measure for the sheep sector under the RDP programme, which would provide a payment worth €5 per ewe, financed from the underspend of €6m in the Sheep Welfare Scheme and an additional €4m of national funding. Total cost €10m pa. Fair Deal scheme / means assessment of farm assets - In Budget 2019, Government must provide additional funding in order to make good on its commitment to introduce a three-year cap on the inclusion of productive assets under the financial assessment in the Nursing Home Support Scheme. Farm Assist - IFA proposes that, in the means test for Farm Assist, the depreciation rate for farm equipment and machinery should be increased to a standard rate of 10% to more accurately reflect the useful life of these assets. Contributory pension - IFA proposes that, where a farmer was ineligible to make PRSI contributions prior to 2007 due to being in receipt of Farm Assist, these years should be disregarded in calculating their average number of contributions. Contributory pension, Class K - IFA proposes that farmers that paid Class K contributions when employed or assisting on the family farm are not disadvantaged and these years should be disregarded in calculating yearly average pension payment rate. Farmers working seasonal and part time / entitlements to social welfare payments - IFA proposes that the subsidiary income threshold is increased significantly. This will allow farmers to take on seasonal work, with eligibility for social welfare benefits being maintained when the part-time work ends. In the case of Farm Assist, farmers who take on seasonal work, should automatically return on to Farm Assist when the seasonal work ends, without having to re-apply. Full restoration of all measures in National Roads Agreement - IFA proposes that equity is restored and that farmers impacted by national road developments under the new National Development Plan receive a flexibility payment of €5,000 per acre. Low cost loans - The Government must implement the Budget 2018 commitment of €25m immediately. Further funding in Budget 2019 is required to support the competitiveness of farming enterprises and other SMEs through the provision of low cost loans, to fund both ongoing working capital requirements and for on-farm investment. Support SMEs through Brexit – structural and adjustment support - IFA proposes direct support for farmers/small businesses must be made available in the event that sterling further depreciates during exit discussions, impacting negatively on incomes and livelihoods. The EU must make available structural and adjustment funding to small businesses that are negatively impacted due to changes in the relationship that is negotiated between the EU and the UK. Producer Organisations (POs) - IFA propose funding is provided to assist farmers with the ongoing running costs of POs and extending establishment aid in certain sectors. Knowledge Transfer - To support increased participation by farmers and POs in KT programmes across all sectors, IFA is proposing funding of €25m. Animal health funding for- TB Eradication; Wildlife Control Programme, incl. Deer Management; regional veterinary labs to be equipped with staff, resources & facilities at 6 located sites; appropriate staff vet numbers in all RVOs; final phase of BVD programme; targeted Johnes control programme; National IBR programme and a dedicated budget for EWS. Agri-Environment Schemes - The GLAS Scheme must be re-opened for all farmers who are currently denied entry. In addition, all farmers must be paid in a calendar year. To facilitate this, a funding allocation of €250m for all environmental and locally led schemes, including the Burren, Hen Harrier and Organic Schemes, is required in Budget 2019. Smart Farming - IFA proposes the expansion and development of the Smart Farming Programme, as recommended by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture Food and the Marine in their July 2018 Climate Change and Sustainability in the Agriculture and Food Sectors report. Farm Forestry - payment for Ecosystem Services; investment grant for small scale private forests' specialised harvesting / processing; timber transport scheme. Tax treatment of payments received for use of forestry land by a third party - IFA proposes payment for the loss of this income i.e. forestry premium, should not be subject to Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax. Designated Areas Payments - IFA proposes that additional funding of €10m must be allocated to the NPWS in Budget 2019 to pay farmers where restrictions to farming result from the designation of land. Support Scheme Renewable Heat - IFA proposes that the SSRH is adequately funded in Budget 2019, to create sufficient scale in the market to achieve the targets and avoid costly penalties. Accelerated capital allowances for emission efficient equipment - IFA proposes that farm equipment which contributes to increased emission efficiency should qualify for accelerated capital allowances. This would be provided through an enhanced SEAI Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme, or through a parallel scheme, which would operate under the same structures – i.e. 100% capital allowances for investment in equipment that is independently certified and listed by a qualifying authority. Renewable Electricity Support Scheme - a zero-carbon electricity tariff for community based renewable projects. To displace electricity production from gas, which accounts for 35% of greenhouse gasses emitted when generating electricity. This is part of IFA's policy for a €100m prosumer strategy, which ring-fences 20% of the electricity levy paid annually, to encourage homeowners and farm families to replace their fossil fuels with renewables sources, such as roof-top solar and micro energy. Home Renovation Incentive - IFA proposes that confirmation of qualifying works under the HRI includes renewables technologies such as solar, heat pumps, micro wind and battery storage. Bioeconomy Supply Chain Development - IFA proposes that funding and tax incentives, including 100% Capital Allowances, be introduced to support farmers to invest in essential infrastructure, such as specialised machinery, storage and drying units to establish quality biomass supply chains for the emerging bioeconomy. TAMS - additional items are included for grant aid including road underpasses, meal bins for the drystock sector and other items; investment limit for the intensive sectors is increased and standard costings are adjusted in line with increased costs of building material and labour. Hotriculture - IFA proposes that funding for the Scheme is increased to €8m in Budget 2019. This is to meet the demand for investment, evidenced by the oversubscription of the scheme in previous years and to cover the cost of reinvestment needed as a result of storm damage and industry restructuring. In addition, compensation must be provided for the disposal of ash plants in the amenity horticulture sector, arising from the Ash-Dieback disease. Sugar tax and healthy eating - IFA proposes that some of the revenue generated from the sugar tax on sweetened drinks, should be directed towards the promotion of the consumption of fresh produce. Aquaculture - DAFM and the ALAB agree a Service Level Agreement and make available adequate funding to allow ALAB to process any appeal it receives, whether for finfish, shellfish or algae, within the four-month period allowed. Also that BIM, Údarás na Gaeltachta & NUI Galway be funded to deliver a socio-economic report on public/ private investment in terms of the positive impacts of finfish/shellfish farming in peripheral areas. And reduce costs /improve efficiency in licence applications. Licence fees, Foreshore costs and rates - IFA proposes that charges for use of the foreshore should be consolidated into a single charge in these areas, at a cost which is affordable and fair and allows producers to make a reasonable return on investment. This should be done in consultation with industry in the context of the proposed Foreshore Bill. Walks Scheme - IFA proposes that, as per the Programme for Government commitment and funding promised in Budget 2018, the number of walks under the scheme must be increased to 80, with a doubling of the funding from €2m to €4m in Budget 2019. Farm Safety - • Funding under the TAMS farm safety measures should be available to all farmers, even if they have reached the investment limit under the scheme; min of €2,000 per holding should be reduced; introduction of grant-aided PTO scrappage scheme; funding for Fam Safety Action Plan 2016-18.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Joe Healy, IFA President, Joe Brady, Rural Development IFA Chair

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? To lobby all Oireachtas members on IFA 2019 Budget proposals

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Letter All Oireachtas Members

Submission All Oireachtas Members

Letter All MEPs

Submission All MEPs

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Submission (1)

Letter (11-20)

Meeting (2-5)

Event / Reception (1)

Email (2-5)

Social Media (6-10)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Philip O'Callaghan Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)

Edward Brophy Special Advisor (Department of Finance)

Jonathan Hoare Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

John O'Hara Councillor (Mayo County Council)

Michelle Mulherin Senator (Seanad)

Dara Calleary TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Leo Varadkar Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Michael Creed Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Aidan O'Driscoll Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor Minister of State (Department of Education and Skills)

Richard Bruton Minister (Department of Education and Skills)

Michael D'Arcy Minister of State (Department of Finance)

Michael Ring Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)

Andrew Doyle Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Regina Doherty Minister (Department of Social Protection)

Bernard Durkan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Finance)

Marian Harkin MEP (European Parliament)

Damien English Minister of State (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government)

Brendan Howlin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Katherine Zappone Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)

Denis Naughten Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)

Enda Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ciarán Cannon Minister of State for the Diaspora and Overseas Development Aid (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Liadh Ní Riada MEP (European Parliament)

Mattie McGrath TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Patrick O'Donovan Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)