Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme as 'significant step in the right direction' - Meath IFA

Patrick Horgan, recently elected chairman of Meath branch of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has described the €100m announced for the Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme as "significant" and a step in the right direction but added that it must come soon and that the rebate must be a straightforward system that is easy to operate.

A meeting of IFA representatives took place yesterday (Monday) to discuss the package being offered by the Government to support farmers and agri-contractors following six days of protests and blockades. Speaking after the meeting, Patrick Horgan said the IFA had worked hard to get the scheme and it would have a significant impact but that they would continue to fight for measures in relation to fertiliser, a tillage support scheme and on the carbon tax.

"We had six days of protest and turmoil and major disruptions around the country. All the ports were blocked and there was large disruption of traffic on roads.

“Farmers are frustrated with the price of fuel and the rising costs that we are seeing this year, mainly due to the outbreak of war in the Middle East."

He said the IFA have had meetings since 1st April with the Department and most recently over the weekend, leading to the fuel package.

"It is a significant package, €100m towards fuel costs for farmers is something the IFA worked hard to get in the meeting rooms and it will have a significant impact.

"We will continue to fight for something for fertilizer, a tillage support scheme and the carbon tax. We want to make sure we have secure supplies of fertilizer to make sure we have enough forage in the country for next winter."

They will also continue to fight on the carbon tax pointing out that while the carbon tax was put in an encouraging measure to get farmers to use other resources, farmers don't have the green options that other industries have.

"Other industries have green options, we don't have those options so we feel it is a direct tax on farmers and is unfair and unjustified. There will be a continued fight on this."

"We know that there are further cuts in excise of 2.5 cents and the big announcement was we will be getting €20 million a month over five months which would equate to 20 cents per litre based on what farmers and contractors used in green diesel in 2025.

"It has been a difficult process throughout and government have been fairly slow to engage. They would have saved themselves a lot more hassle if they had engaged sooner with their measures. “But I still think farmers feel hard done by and not listened to but the measures are a step in the right direction.

"They are a critical step, because we do need the support and there will be a lot of pressure on costs of production going forward this year."

Farmers will be anticipating a big increase in the cost of making silage this year and Mr Horgan said he hoped the rebate would address part of that they but they need to do more on the carbon tax measure.

Some contractors have concerns over what additional administration will be required to claim the rebate and Mr Horgan acknowledged that paperwork is a concern that they have asked that it be a straightforward system to work with.

"There have been different concerns raised and as we get more detail we will address them and try to ensure it is a fair system that is easy to operate.”