Addressing the AGM of the Irish Farmers Association in Dublin, IFA President
John Bryan set out the key challenges facing the sector in the year ahead.
“As we start 2011, we are only weeks away from a Spring General Election.
Protection of vital farm schemes and retention of essential farm taxation
reliefs to facilitate growth will be key elements of IFA’s election
manifesto.”

Mr Bryan said since taking over as IFA President, he has relentlessly
promoted the importance of the sector to the economy in supporting exports
and jobs. However, he warned that the future of the agri-food sector and the
future of our economy cannot be jeopardised by the irrational ideology of
the Greens in relation to the Climate Change issue, in the dying days of
this Government.

He said, “Food Harvest 2020 sets out ambitious but achievable targets for
the agriculture sector over the next decade. Ireland has the potential to
increase farmgate output by €1.5 billion, with an increase in exports to €12
billion. The growth achieved in 2010 alone shows that these targets can be
reached.”

John Bryan said, “the Climate Change Bill threatens to block progress and
prevent Irish farming from realising our potential to help meet the rising
global demand for food.  And we can do it with one of the most sustainable
models of food production in the world.  I am calling on all Senators and
TDs to put jobs, exports and economic recovery first, and to reject this
Bill, until the legitimate concerns of our agri-food sector are dealt with.”

He said, “There are real threats to Irish agriculture in the ongoing CAP
negotiations, with strong demands for the redistribution of funds to Eastern
Europe, and for the ‘greening’ of the CAP, whereby resources would be
redirected from food production towards environmental supports.”

Mr Bryan put down a clear marker to the Government and to our MEPs:  hold
the line, and retain the existing payment model and 100% of the Single Farm
Payment for our active farmers.