‘ACTION PLANS FOR JOBS’ INITIATIVE MUST SUPPORT PRIMARY AGRICULTURE

Reacting to the Government’s ‘2012 Action Plan for Jobs’, IFA President John Bryan said reaching the targets for the agri-food sector in Food Harvest 2020 depends on Government investment in primary agriculture.

Mr Bryan stated, “Export figures for 2011 show that the agri-food and drinks sector outperformed the general economy. Food and drink exports increased to their highest level ever, to almost €9bn in 2011.”

He continued, “Farm schemes are critical in driving production and underpinning farm incomes. Farming is the economic backbone of rural towns and villages and increased output at farmgate level supports the creation of jobs in the processing, marketing, tourism and retail industries.”

John Bryan said, “In addition, the on-farm investment that will be undertaken by farmers in the coming years in order to achieve the growth targets set out in Food Harvest 2020 will stimulate economic activity and jobs at farm level. Access to credit at a competitive rate will be critical to fund this expansion.”

In the short term, the Government must ensure that the funding allocation for the on-farm investment programme, TAMS, is fully utilised.  In CAP post-2013, measures for farm efficiency, restructuring, innovation and training must form part of Ireland’s Rural Development programme, aimed at all sectors with potential for expansion.”

He said the Department of Agriculture has given IFA a commitment that on-line applications will be processed earlier and any problems will be dealt with well before the payment deadlines including earlier digitisation of any land parcels, where necessary.

The IFA Deputy President made it very clear to the Department that maps, digitisation, processing delays or inspections cannot be allowed to hold up 2012 payments later in the year.  The Department gave a commitment to bring forward digitising work by 3 months.

“There are significant advantages in submitting on-line SFP applications.  Apart from the commitment to be processed and paid earlier by the Department, farmers and their agents can make changes to their applications and maps online.  Last year 54,000 applications were made on-line and every effort should be made to increase this number for 2012.”

Reacting to the Government’s ‘2012 Action Plan for Jobs’, IFA President John Bryan said reaching the targets for the agri-food sector in Food Harvest 2020 depends on Government investment in primary agriculture.

Mr Bryan stated, “Export figures for 2011 show that the agri-food and drinks sector outperformed the general economy. Food and drink exports increased to their highest level ever, to almost €9bn in 2011.”

He continued, “Farm schemes are critical in driving production and underpinning farm incomes. Farming is the economic backbone of rural towns and villages and increased output at farmgate level supports the creation of jobs in the processing, marketing, tourism and retail industries.”

John Bryan said, “In addition, the on-farm investment that will be undertaken by farmers in the coming years in order to achieve the growth targets set out in Food Harvest 2020 will stimulate economic activity and jobs at farm level. Access to credit at a competitive rate will be critical to fund this expansion.”

In the short term, the Government must ensure that the funding allocation for the on-farm investment programme, TAMS, is fully utilised.  In CAP post-2013, measures for farm efficiency, restructuring, innovation and training must form part of Ireland’s Rural Development programme, aimed at all sectors with potential for expansion.”

He said the Department of Agriculture has given IFA a commitment that on-line applications will be processed earlier and any problems will be dealt with well before the payment deadlines including earlier digitisation of any land parcels, where necessary.

The IFA Deputy President made it very clear to the Department that maps, digitisation, processing delays or inspections cannot be allowed to hold up 2012 payments later in the year.  The Department gave a commitment to bring forward digitising work by 3 months.

“There are significant advantages in submitting on-line SFP applications.  Apart from the commitment to be processed and paid earlier by the Department, farmers and their agents can make changes to their applications and maps online.  Last year 54,000 applications were made on-line and every effort should be made to increase this number for 2012.”