The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 18 Sep, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Budgetary matters

Period 1 May, 2021 to 31 Aug, 2021

Specific Details IFA Budget 2022 Submission - Expenditure to Support Farm Enterprises.

Intended results Farm Schemes - Suckler Cow IFA proposes Budget 2022 should build on the BDGP and BEEP-S schemes to deliver a targeted direct payment of €300/ cow, financed from a combination of national cofinancing and CAP Pillar II funds. Roll-over of the BDGP in a simplified format for 2022. IFA proposes The BEEP-S should be increased from the current €40m allocation to €80m. Expand the pilot Dairy Calf Beef Programme into a pilot Cattle Rearing and Finishing Scheme to include farmers who rear beef animals from the suckler herd including store and finishing farmers, building towards a budget of €100m for direct farmer support by 2023. Sheep Welfare Scheme IFA proposes Roll-over of the current Sheep Welfare Scheme into 2022 and enhanced to deliver on the ambition of €30/ewe through a combination of CAP Transition and national exchequer funding. Shearing to be included as a measure in the Sheep Welfare Scheme to support farmers in carrying out this vital health and welfare measure and for providing this sustainable, renewable product for many value-added uses IFA proposes Additional funding should be allocated to the Sheep Welfare Scheme to allow new entrants into the sector and to allow those who entered the sector since the commencement of the scheme to have their actual on-farm sheep numbers recognised and appropriately remunerated. Government should create incentives for wool to be the insulation of choice in home and commercial properties and make it mandatory for Irish wool insulation to be used in all social housing projects and p IFA proposes Provide the necessary resources in order to achieve effective dog control. It is imperative that a centralised national dog database is established along with the implementation of strengthened legal obligations on dog owners. An effective and adequately resourced ‘Dog Warden' service is required in all counties as a matter of urgency. Agri-Environment Schemes IFA proposes For the 48,000 farmers finishing GLAS on December 31st 2021, their plans must be extended for 2022, and all payment rates to be maintained at current levels. The financial allocation for REAP should be increased to meet demand along with a reopening of the programme for all farmers who were denied entry in 2021. IFA proposes €260m funding allocation is required for all environmental and locally led schemes, including GLAS, REAP, and European Innovation Partnership (EIP) projects e.g., the Burren, Hen Harrier etc. Areas of Natural Constraints (ANCs) IFA proposes Funding for the ANCs is increased by a further €50m to bring the total budget for the scheme to €300m for 2022 Designated Area Payments IFA proposes Increased funding of €15m is allocated to the NPWS farm plan scheme to pay farmers where, due to designation of land, restrictions are imposed on farming. Organic Farming Schemes (OFS) IFA proposes Funding of the Organic Farm Scheme should be increased to €20m in 2022 to fulfil consumer demand and further develop the area of land under organic production. An additional payment should be made on the first 3 ha of organic horticulture. Producer Organisations (POs) IFA proposes €5m is provided to assist farmers with the establishment and ongoing running costs of POs. The rules need to be much less bureaucratic and designed in a more farmer-friendly manner. The DAFM initiative establishing new POs within horticulture, to include the potato and nursery stock sectors, should continue to be supported. Walks Scheme IFA proposes The previous commitment to extend the Walks Scheme to 80 walks must be delivered without further delay. The number of trails be extended to 150, with additional funds of €3.5m to bring it to a total of €7.5m. LEADER IFA proposes The LEADER Programme be fully funded for 2022, with no gap in this funding before the start-up of LEADER under the next CAP Programme. Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) IFA proposes The commitment on the revised TAMS budget is honoured with a 2022 allocation for TAMS of €200m. This is necessary to meet all outstanding commitments and new applications for 2022. IFA proposes Grant aid for the purchase of Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) equipment must be paid at a rate of 60% for all farmers both for new equipment and retrofitting existing equipment and the investment ceiling for LESS investment needs to be increased. These changes are necessary to help ensure emissions associated with slurry spreading are reduced. IFA proposes Additional items should be added to include grant aid for road underpasses, weighbridges and rubber mats. The standard costings need to be adjusted to reflect the increased cost of materials, building work and labour. The increased TAMS investment scheme for poultry should be rolled out immediately. IFA proposes A separate (increased 60%) TAMS investment scheme for landowners to build storage facilities for pig slurry and poultry litter on their sites should be established. This could potentially lead to easier movement of slurry and litter and increase demand, especially in the closed spreading period. The minimum investment limit of €2,000 is lowered to accommodate small investments. Tillage IFA proposes The Straw Incorporation Measure is rolled over for 2022 with a budget increase from €10m to €12.5m. To encourage the transition away from oxo-degradable single-use plastics in the production of forage maize crops, a VAT rate of 0% should apply to the latest, more environmentally friendly compostable plastics. Supporting Farmers through Brexit IFA proposes The allocation to the Irish farming sector from the BAR needs to reflect the importance of the UK market to Irish primary producers and to protect them against the disproportionate impact of Brexit on Irish agri-food exports. Climate Action IFA proposes Funding is required to introduce a Sustainable Development Programme (SDP) to co-ordinate the delivery of price supports for farm-scale and communitybased renewables and to ensure the maximum delivery of the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) climate roadmap. The BDGP has been effective in improving the efficiency of the national suckler cow herd and has to be maintained in a simplified format. IFA proposes There has been a bigger level of applications than anticipated in the recently introduced BEEP-S scheme and therefore additional money is required to ensure all applicants are fully funded. Increased support to farmers with designated land. Increased allocation for the Organic Farming Scheme. The overall grant-aid available for the LESS scheme should be increased to 60% along with a VAT exemption for LESS equipment. IFA proposes As per the commitment in the Programme for Government Our Shared Future, a liming programme to support farmers must be introduced, needing an allocation of €23m. Funding of €84m is required to expand and develop the Smart Farming Programme, as recommended in the Joint Oireachtas Climate Action Committee Report Climate Change A Cross-Party Consensus for Action March 2019. IFA proposes The introduction of a protected urea incentive scheme, closing the price differential between it and existing products. A support scheme should be put in place to encourage slurry additives uptake. A soil structure support programme to include soil aeration equipment to maximise the agronomic and environmental benefits of good soil structures. Renewable Energy Microgeneration Support IFA proposes The establishment of capital grants of approximately 50% for farmers to invest in microgeneration. This will require a new financial support programme for microgeneration with a separate structure and set of rules. This money should come from outside of CAP Pillar II funds. This programme should apply to all usage on farms including the farm residence, and should not be capped at 11KW. IFA proposes The delivery of a meaningful ‘Feed in Tariff' with no limits on export volume to grid. Amend the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) to facilitate small scale projects and redefine ‘communities' in RESS to include virtual farming communities and partners. Remove or reduce network charges for inter-farming community trading. Remove planning impediments for microgeneration projects. Banking IFA proposes The Government, through the SBCI, introduce a state backed guarantee (80%) low-cost interest (max 3.7%) loan scheme, which is accessible to all primary producers across all the farming sectors including aquaculture, forestry and amenity horticulture. The scheme should - Provide financial support to primary producers who are experiencing cashflow disruption and/or reduced profitability due to the impact of Brexit. IFA proposes Operate through the main banks as heretofore with previous SBCI schemes, but also to include other financial institutions such as Credit Unions, An Post and other accredited asset lenders. Cater for loans up to €1,500,000 in the form of refinancing, working capital and term loans in addition to asset finance. Provide unsecured lending up to €500,000. IFA proposes Offer a loan duration of up to 6 years in the case of term loans and asset finance. Provide for a 12-month moratorium on capital repayments. Allow access to farmers who are leasing land and therefore are unable to provide adequate security to access secured bank finance without support of SBCIled schemes. Preclude the use of family homes as security. Preclude the use of personal guarantees for loan amounts under €150,000. Prohibit facility fees. Farm Forestry IFA proposes To restore the farmer premium differential as committed to in the Programme for Government Our Shared Future. The introduction of a Harvesting Plan Grant to assist forest owners with the increased costs and requirements associated with applying for a felling licence. IFA proposes The introduction of an Ash Dieback Reconstitution scheme that appropriately compensates forest owners affected by the disease. This would include the reinstatement of 15-year premiums on re-established woodlands and an option not to replant under certain circumstances. IFA proposes The introduction of a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) in recognition of the range of environmental services provided by forests, including carbon. This payment would incentivise farmers to plant at the scale required and would provide income beyond the fifteenyear forest premium payments, as well as in subsequent crop rotations. IFA proposes crop rotations. The removal of restrictions on planting productive marginal land and increase GPC1 and premium rate to cover cost of planting and better reflect the income foregone by planting the land. In 2016, the Council for Forest Research and Development (COFORD) Land Availability for Afforestation report identified 180,000 hectares of unenclosed land outside of environmental constraints that satisfies the eligibility criteria of the Afforestation and Woodland Creation scheme, which is currently excluded. IFA proposes The introduction of a Forest Owner Producer Organisation Scheme to provide supports for the preparation and implementation of Production and Marketing Plans for forest owner organisations. The development of a national Forest Certification scheme to overcome the obstacle to private forest owner certification that mirrors similar successful schemes operating in other European countries. Pigs IFA proposesIFA proposes The Government establish a financial aid scheme to assist pig farmers with depopulation and restocking of pig herds. Poultry IFA proposes The Government should establish a national Poultry Compensation Scheme to provide financial assistance to growers in the event of total flock loss. It is imperative that the Government fully engages with and consults the IFA Poultry committee on the development of this scheme. National Food Ombudsman/Regulator IFA proposes The National Food Ombudsman/Regulator should be adequately resourced and funded in order to effectively tackle the imbalance of power in the food supply chain so that it is fair, transparent, well-functioning and equitable. IFA proposes The Government must go beyond the scope of the Directive to regulate the full food supply chain and include other UTPs such as unsustainable discounting, below-cost selling, annual tendering by retailers, and misleading labelling and fake brands; so that farmers are not forced to take prices below the cost of production. Horticulture IFA proposes Funding for the scheme is increased to €12m in Budget 2022 to meet the demand for investment, evidenced by the oversubscription of the scheme in previous years. Compensation is provided for the disposal of ash plants in amenity horticulture. Animal Health IFA proposes Government should move as a matter of urgency to apply the 0% Value-Added Tax (VAT) rate on non-oral animal medicines and vaccines worth €10m annually to farmers in direct savings. Government has to advance the commitments given to enhance the Regional Veterinary Laboratory Network and associated services to farmers. €33.5m was allocated in 2019 for this 10-year programme and progress from this investment must be realised in real terms for farmers. IFA proposes All disease eradication and control programmes – including the Tuberculosis (TB) and National Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) programmes – should have equitable funding models that reflect the beneficiaries and wider benefits for the national economy associated with these programmes while recognising and attributing a value to the labour contribution of farmers in their implementation at farm level. IFA proposes The Wildlife Control Programme is resourced to ensure the effective and timely treatment of wildlife where TB breakdowns occur. This will require a doubling of the existing staffing structures in the area and additional supports to address outbreaks of TB among deer. The higher-level national surveillance in the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) programme that will commence in 2023 must be fully funded by DAFM. IFA proposes The Fallen Animal Collection Service should be reviewed, restructured and funded to an appropriate level that ensures farmers are not exposed to the exorbitant and unacceptable charges of some service providers due to the lack of competition in the area. Aquaculture - Seafood Taskforce – Strategic Initiatives for Irish Aquaculture IFA proposes Appropriate recognition and renumeration is given to the Irish aquaculture sector in its carbon sequestration services; the added value aquaculture produce provides, and the contribution aquaculture can make in meeting Climate Action targets in this regard. IFA proposes Significant investment is required for innovation in Irish Aquaculture. In particular, investment in adaptive technology that allows for the use of renewable energy sources and greater energy efficiency in aquaculture farming practices should be explored. IFA proposes Seaweed aquaculture farming is continuously developing in Ireland with investment needed in processing and marketing of seaweed products with continued support for the development of the Irish seaweed industry. IFA proposes Adequate and appropriate resources should be allocated to fully implementing all the recommendations of the Independent Aquaculture Licensing Review Blue Carbon Potential IFA proposes Sufficient funding and resources is allocated to the Marine Institute to facilitate this scientific research. Consideration should be given to the role of the aquaculture industry as a carbon efficient source of sustainable protein and its contribution to marine ecosystem services. Implementation of Aquaculture Licensing Review Recommendations IFA proposes Adequate and appropriate resources are allocated to fully implement all the recommendations of the Independent Aquaculture Licensing Review. Sufficient funding is provided to ensure the earliest possible implementation of Recommendation 8.2; pre-application process and Recommendation 8.5; the establishment of a web–based Aquaculture Application and Monitoring System. Social Protection IFA proposes The income disregard is increased from the current level of 30% to 50%. 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. IFA proposes The income disregards for agri-environmental schemes, included in the means test for Farm Assist, must be extended to also disregard forestry premium payments. The option of a three-year income test assessment be considered. Similar to recipients of the Jobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker's Allowance, recipients of Farm Assist should be able to receive credited social insurance contributions. Fair Deal and Support for Older People IFA proposes The Nursing Home Support Capital Schemes must provide for the inclusion of farm land leased to third parties, in line with other Government policy on inheritance under Agricultural Relief. Older people should be supported to live at home through increased funding for the Home Care Package Scheme so that the number of hours provided is increased. IFA proposes The Total Contribution Approach (TCA) for calculating Contributory State Pension payments should be implemented in line with National Pension Framework (2008) agreement, which provides for total contributions of 30 years to qualify for a maximum payment. Provide credits to farmers on Farm Assist prior to 2007, when they were ineligible to make PRSI contributions under the scheme. Farm Safety IFA proposes The Ministerial Order to commence the Farm Safety Equipment Scheme must be published without further delay. The expansion of the Farm Safety Equipment Scheme, with increased funding for health and safety equipment under TAMS. IFA proposes A handbrake and Power-Take Off (PTO) improvement scheme; to include a PTO scrappage scheme and a handbrake replacement scheme, to assist farmers in replacing malfunctioning equipment. An annual farm safety budget be allocated to the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee to implement future farm safety action plans. A simplified and fast-tracked planning process is put in place for the construction of road underpasses. Road Development IFA proposes Farmers impacted by national road developments under the new National Development Plan receive a flexibility payment, reinstated to the value of €5,000/ac. Conservation of Ground Nesting Birds IFA proposes IFA is seeking the reintroduction and funding of €40,000 for a mink and grey squirrel bounty

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan IFA President, Michael Biggins IFA Rural Development 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 members of the Oireachtas on the proposals contained in IFA's Budget 2022 Submission.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Letter All Oireachtas Members

Submission All Oireachtas Members

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Event / Reception (1)

Email (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.

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brendan Smith TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ed Brophy Special Adviser (Department of Finance)

Grant Sweetnam Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

Kevin Barrett Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

Charlie McConalogue Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Finance)

Michael McGrath Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

Eamon Ryan Minister (Department of Transport)

Martin Heydon Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Pippa Hackett Super Junior Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Stephen Donnelly Minister (Department of Health)

Brendan Smith TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe O'Brien Minister of State (Department of Social Protection)

Anne Rabbitte TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Marian Harkin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)