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The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has called for an additional €100m to be added to the 2020 Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme.
The fund would compensate primary producers of sucklers, store cattle, sheep and lambs.
INHFA president Colm O’Donnell said that the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed must act swiftly and decisively to help cashflow on suckler cow and sheep farms throughout the country, who effectively have had their ability to carry out their farm businesses sterilised by the restrictions imposed by Government in Ireland’s battle with COVID-19.
Flexibility
The INHFA leader said the European Commission has given flexibility to member states to introduce schemes in Pillar II of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) for farmers affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
“The best and most efficient way to get money out quickly to primary producers is through the Pillar II scheme Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC)," O’Donnell said.
"This scheme is paid to farmers for costs incurred, income foregone and extra transaction costs associated with production systems such as sucklers and sheep."
Commissioner for Agriculture
The INHFA has formally written to the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Janusz Wojciechowski to clarify his recent statement regarding what supports could be put in place by member states.
It has suggested using the ANC as the most effective and efficient way of looking after primary producers of suckler beef and sheepmeat.
“The Minister has a duty of care to ensure that our primary producers get financial support as quickly as possible to help with cashflow.
"The Minister must use all flexibilities available from the European Commission to pay this money up front and protect the first vital link in our highly valued food supply chain,” O'Donnell said.
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