Election 2024: Farming — 'There is genuine fear out there among farmers... Trust is gone'
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Years of uncertainty in the agriculture sector have led to a damaging reluctance among farmers to invest, with many unwilling to risk a rise in spending, amid fears that a future government’s policies will interfere, a Cork-based dairy farmer has said.
With the election campaign in its final days, farmers — from small independent farms to industry group leaders — will be seeking assurances of support from political parties, should they be elected.
The agriculture sector, which has undergone a series of significant policy changes in recent years, has been a key voice among the rural electorate.
From sticky inflation to ambitious climate targets, the farming industry has come under increased pressure in recent years, with demonstrations now commonplace across Ireland as farmers protest regulation, income pressure, and bureaucracy.
“You just don’t know what could happen overnight,” says Sean Moher.
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“The government could suddenly decide to accelerate tax on any investment that you make, resulting in things feeling quite uncertain.
“You get the impression that you could make a massive investment in the farm and the next day, it could be wiped off by somebody asleep at the wheel.
“Trust is gone.
“There is genuine fear out there among farmers.
The North Cork farmer says that the next government must show support when it comes to the future of dairy farming and certainty regarding derogation, which allows the application of a higher amount of livestock manure than that provided for in the nitrates regulations.
Speed of delivery is another key issue for dairy farmers, according to Mr Moher, who said that despite applying for non-productive investments (NPIs) in the Agri-Climate Rural Environmental Scheme (ACRES) around 18 months ago, he is still awaiting clarity on his application.
“It needs to be more streamlined,” he said.
“For a lot of farmers like me, it feels like we are losing control of our business. We are at the complete mercy of a government that can take years to make concrete decisions.”
Based in Mitchelstown, Mr Moher has also called for grants to be more widely available to farmers, telling the Irish Examiner that he was unable to avail of Government assistance last year.
“I didn’t get a grant, there were just too many specifics that didn’t work for me. The size of the tank molecule I needed to put in did not suit, and the grant specs are currently just too much hassle,” he said.
Asked what he wants to see in the next government, Mr Moher said the most important thing is that farmers are not left hanging.
“We need a vision,” he said. “What is the government’s vision?
“Ten years ago, I would have said, the vision was for farmers to stock slightly less, maybe 10% less, a few crops for a local digester, our sheds covered in solar panels, and I wouldn’t have all my eggs in one basket. Can I say that now? No, I can not.”
Mr Moher has also called for more to be done to fight climate change, adding Ireland is currently “nowhere near” achieving its 2030 targets.
“There seems to be a ‘slow as we go’ government policy. Things need to be more proactive.
Mr Moher has also called for increased support for rural Ireland, adding that it will be at the forefront of his mind when he enters the voting booth.
“All politics is local, and my local town is neglected. There has not been a sod turned for 20 years in Mitchelstown because the wastewater treatment plant has not been upgraded.
“There has not been one new house built in the town, and I hope that the next government will be prioritising more investment in rural areas.”