Macra Welcomes Emergency Measures, But Warns Time Is Ticking for Young Farmers
Macra welcomes the €100m emergency package announced by the Government as a significant step in the right direction towards supporting young farmers and rural young people over the next five months.
Macra had been calling for the development of a crisis response scheme, and following direct engagement with the Minister for Agriculture over the weekend, during which the organisation highlighted the need for targeted support and concerns surrounding criteria of the proposals, which may affect young farmers' accessibility. The organisation welcomes the usage based support scheme and the confirmation of consideration for new entrants in the development of the scheme. While Macra recognises that the development of such a scheme will take time, President Josephine O’Neill highlighted that swift and efficient delivery will be critical “I welcome today’s announcement of the fuel support scheme which will provide critical support for our young farmers but remind the Government that time is of the essence in the development and delivery of this”.
The organisation had also called for the reduction of excise duty on agri-diesel, petrol and white diesel. “Our members have been struggling to make ends meet as a result of the ongoing crisis. Today’s announcement of a cut to excise duty on agri-diesel, petrol and white diesel will hopefully go a long way to relieving some of the pressures currently being faced”.
O’Neill also welcomed the Government’s deferral of the planned Carbon Tax increase, scheduled for May 1st, another key ask of the organisation during negotiations. However, she called on the Department of Agriculture to continue negotiations in relation to the requested pause on Carbon Tax and CBAM tax on fertilisers.