Mayo IFA highlight reduced production on peat soils concerns at on-farm meeting
MEMBERS of Mayo IFA met with MEP Maria Walsh and Deputy Kieran Keogh yesterday on the farm of TJ Duffy in Westport to raise concerns over the plans for reduced production on peat soils under GAEC 2 and the Nature Restoration Law, along with a number of other key issues.
Mayo IFA chair John Lynskey said farmers will be livid over the absence of any engagement with them on plans to reduce production on peat soils.
He said apparent ‘reduced intensity proposals’ for farming on peat soils is very concerning.
Recent media reports say that a meeting was held with DAFM ‘invited stakeholders’ to discuss reduced intensity proposals, including rewetting, of 80,000ha of peat soils, but no farmers were present.
“Let’s be very clear. Driving ahead without any agreement with those who represent farmers is not the way to go,” Mr. Lynskey said.
The IFA has consistently said that measures cannot be imposed in a ‘top down’ manner.
The county chair said the new government, and indeed the new EU Commission, have emphasised that cooperation and engagement will be central to any discussions about land use.
“The idea that a roundtable would convene and those who own nearly 80% of the land in the country would not be present flies in the face of what farmers have been told would happen,” he said.
Mr. Lynskey said the department has ground to make up here, and it could start by being open and transparent about their plans.
“Farmers’ annoyance and frustration about being continually told what they can or cannot do with their own land is increasing, despite soft talk about simplification and reducing red tape,” he said.
The Mayo delegation also highlighted farmers’ frustrations over the delayed ACRES payments, a saga that has been rolling for too long.
Mr. Lynskey has called on Minister Heydon and the department to step up and do whatever is necessary to deliver an interim ACRES payment, similar to the one made in spring 2024, as a matter of urgency.
“This payment needs to be made immediately to alleviate the financial pressures on thousands of farmers around the country. The time for talk is over. Farmers have done the work required of them, yet they have not been paid,” he said.
“It’s just not good enough. Farmers entered ACRES in good faith and they need to be paid, and paid now. The DAFM need to honour their end of the bargain and get payments out.
“The pressure on farmers is heightened by the damage left in the wake of Storm Éowyn, with many Mayo farmers still suffering with damaged to farm infrastructure.
“Many farmers are still dealing with the clean up after Storm Éowyn. Thousands of farms and homes were without power for a prolonged period, which caused great stress, but the effects are still being felt with damage to sheds and yards across the county.”