Mayo Senator welcomes reports that active farmland may be excluded from RZLT

Mayo Senator Lisa Chambers has welcomed reports that her party colleagues Minister Jack Chambers, Minister Darragh O'Brien and Minister Charlie McConalogue are working to exclude active farmland from Residential Zoned Land Tax in the upcoming budget.

Senator Chambers, who is meeting the Irish Farmer's Association in Mayo today with Minister Chambers, said the pausing and deferral of RZLT by another 12 months and the design of a new RZLT system that excludes active farmland will give certainty to farmers.

She said: “I am delighted to be meeting the IFA here in Mayo today to discuss the various challenges and issues facing farmers and the agricultural sector with my party colleague Minister Jack Chambers.

“One of the issues we are discussing is RZLT and it is hugely welcome that reports indicate a top budget priority for Minister Chambers is the pausing and deferral of the rollout of RZLT for a further 12 months and a new system of RZLT that excludes active farmland.

“The new RZLT system that is being designed by Minister Chambers, Minister O'Brien and Minister McConalogue that excludes active farmers will, I hope, help to alleviate the fear and anxiety felt by many farmers who have farmland that would have been affected.

“By excluding active farmers from RZLT, we would protect both farmland and food production and support farming livelihoods.

“As a party, Fianna Fáil places a priority on partnering with farmers and rural communities. We are continuing to listen to and engage with farming organisations and rural stakeholders. We are committed continuing our support for farming and food production.”

Senator Chambers concluded: “There are varied significant challenges across the farming sector and we must do all we can to ensure the viability of farming livelihoods and rural communities.”