NOT A SINGLE EURO FOUND FOR NEXT GENERATION

In advance of the Department of Agriculture CAP Consultation in Thurles, Co. Tipperary on Friday evening, (October 22) Macra na Feirme has said that the Minister and Department need to realised that not a single additional euro has been found for the next generation of young farmers through initiatives such as a retirement scheme, start-up business grants and a funded land mobility service.   

Speaking ahead of the DAFM Consultation in Thurles, Macra na Feirme National President John Keane said “The Minister is to be lauded for the additional €900m that has been secured within the context of the overall CAP budget. However, not a single additional euro has been allocated for farm succession supports.  Macra na Feirme have consistently articulated the need for a retirement scheme to support older farmers who have aspirations to retire, and simultaneously support a start-up business grant for the next generation, all backed up with a funded land mobility service.” 

The Minster for Agriculture is continuing his mart tour of the country tonight with a consultation meeting in Thurles starting at 6pm.  Keane concluded “We are encouraging Macra members and young farmers to impress the importance of these three schemes to the Minister and the Department in Thurles tonight and indeed around the country as these consultations continue.”  

Macra na Feirme members will gather in Thurles mart at 5:30pm this evening.