FARMERS feel abandoned, left to navigate a system that is often unfair, bureaucratic, and increasingly unsustainable.
That’s according to County Limerick Sinn Féin senator Joanne Collins, who told the Seanad that agriculture is the backbone of rural Ireland, supporting communities, protecting our environment, and ensuring food security.
Senator Collins said that Sinn Féin has been clear in its aim for a Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that is fair for all farmers.
The Cappagh politician also believes that payments should be fairly distributed.
“We support full convergence of entitlements, ending the outdated system where payments are based on reference years from decades ago,” she told the Upper House of the Oireachtas.
“There should be a cap of €60,000 on upper payments, ensuring that CAP supports are directed towards those who truly need them, not just large enterprises.
“Small and medium-sized farms should be protected through front-loaded payments, ensuring they can survive and thrive in the years ahead,” Senator Collins insisted.
She went on to say that in order to support the environment, farmers must be supported.
“There is no doubt that agriculture has a role to play in reducing carbon emissions. Irish farmers have already stepped up, making significant changes to their practices to help Ireland meet its climate targets. They will continue to do more — but this comes at a cost.
“Farmers must be fairly compensated for their work in protecting the environment. Farmers are not the enemy of the environment, they are the custodians of our land, producing the highest quality food to the highest standards.
“Instead of scapegoating them for Ireland’s failure to meet climate targets, we should be working with them, supporting them, and ensuring they have the financial backing to continue farming in a sustainable way.”
Farmers in County Limerick, Senator Collins continued, have shared their frustration with her about delayed ACRES (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme) payments, about the complexity of TAMS (Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme) applications, and about the uncertainty of CAP entitlements.
“These are real, everyday issues affecting real farmers, and this government cannot continue to ignore them,” she said.
